TREASURY

Cancer

John MacDougall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the most recent cancer survival rates for the most common forms of cancer are in the UK; and what information he has received on survival rates in (a) other EU, (b) other G8 and (c) EU applicant countries.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. MacDougall, dated 22 May 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what the most recent cancer survival rates for the most common forms of cancer are in the UK; and what information has been received on survival rates in (a) other EU, (b) other G8 and (c) EU applicant countries. (114617)
	Survival figures for the UK as a whole are not currently available. The available figures for the separate countries of the UK are not directly comparable because of differences in coverage and for other reasons. The latest available information on survival rates for cancer in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are available from the following websites:
	England: http://www.nationalstatistics.gov.ukyStatBase/Expodata/Spreadsheets/D4924.xls
	Wales: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites/documents/242/CancerRegistration.pdf
	Scotland: http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/cancer/excel/surviv update.xls
	Northern Ireland: http://www.qub.ac.uk/nicr/commoncan.htm
	The Office for National Statistics does not collate cancer survival figures for other countries. Comparable statistics on cancer survival in those parts of Europe that are covered by cancer registries were produced by the EUROCARE 11 study and published in "Survival of cancer patients in Europe EUROCARE 11 study" (1ARC scientific Publication No. 151); this is available in the House of Commons Library.
	No similar publication has been produced for the G8 countries.

Biodiesel Duty

John Cummings: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will develop the tax derogation on biodiesel to support the rural economies.

John Healey: The Chancellor reviews all taxation policies taking account of relevant economic, social and environmental factors in forming his Budget judgment.

Biodiesel Duty

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the calculations which he used to determine that £0.2710 shall be the biodiesel duty rate.

John Healey: holding answer 13 May 2003
	The new biodiesel rate of 27.10 pence per litre was chosen to maintain the 20 pence per litre duty differential with ultra-low sulphur diesel. The Government offers lower duty rates for less environmentally-damaging fuels by offering duty differentials relative to the main road fuels. These differentials are intended primarily to reflect the relative environmental benefits of the fuels in question. In determining the size of the duty incentive for biodiesel, the Government has taken into account principally the environmental benefits of the fuel, which amount to approximately 55 per cent. carbon emissions savings on a lifecycle basis, as well as a range of other benefits offered by the fuel, including fuel security benefits and the potential to encourage the recycling of waste products.

Capital Modernisation Fund

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 28 February 2003, Official Report, column 767W, on the Capital Modernisation Fund, why the Customs and Excise anti drug surveillance was terminated in February 2002; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The contractor was unable to meet the user specification.

Proceeds of Crime

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government is taking to tackle organised gangs funded from the proceeds of drug sales.

John Healey: The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 provides extensive new powers for police and customs officers to seize the proceeds of all crimes, including drug trafficking. This is often the working capital for organised gangs, and recovering those proceeds will prevent them being used to fund further criminal activity.

Energy Efficiency

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets he has for improving energy efficiency; and how he intends to achieve these targets.

John Healey: The UK has a legally binding target under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2012. In addition, as set out in the Climate Change Programme published in 2000, the UK has set a domestic goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. by 2010. The Energy White Paper, published in February 2003 reaffirmed this goal and the expectation that more than half of the emissions reductions in the Climate Change Programme—around 10 MtC by 2010—would come from energy efficiency.
	The Energy White Paper sets out the measures which the Government is taking forward to achieve these reductions.
	In addition to this, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also has a specific Public Sector Agreement target to reduce fuel poverty among vulnerable households by improving the energy efficiency of 600,000 homes between 2001 and 2004.

Environment

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment is made (a) of the environmental impact and (b) against sustainable development criteria of the bids made for contracts awarded by his Department; who makes such an assessment; and whether these assessments are published.

John Healey: It is Government policy to ensure that the relevant officials consider environmental/sustainable development impacts, along with a range of other criteria, when contract bids are assessed. Such assessments are not published.

Environment

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment is made (a) of the environmental impact and (b) against sustainable development criteria, of the bids made for the different grants awarded by his Department; who makes such an assessment; and whether these assessments are published.

John Healey: The Treasury provides grants and grants in aid to the following bodies: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; British-American Parliamentary Group; Inter-Parliamentary Union; British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body; and Statistics Commission.

EU-Israel Association Agreement

Richard Burden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made with the composition of duty on goods imported to the UK claiming preference under the EU-Israel Association Agreement but where the goods involved are believed to originate in illegal Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

John Healey: As at 16 May 2003, Customs have sent 41 verification requests to the Israeli authorities covering 332 claims to preference. Duty totalling £20,095 has been demanded from importers following exhaustion of the verification process.

Financial Statement and Budget Report

David Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will re-publish Table 4.2 in the Budget Red Book, HC500, to show the number of working households facing a marginal deduction rate of (a) over 50 per cent. and (b) over 40 per cent.

Paul Boateng: The table shows estimates of the numbers facing marginal deduction rates (MDRs) in excess of 40 per cent.
	
		
			 Marginal deductionrate percentage Before budget 1998 2003–04 system of tax and benefits 
		
		
			 Over 100 5,000 0 
			 Over 90 130,000 30,000 
			 Over 80 300,000 135,000 
			 Over 70 740,000 185,000 
			 Over 60 760,000 1,490,000 
			 Over 50 760,000 1,675,000 
			 Over 40 800,000 1,800,000 
		
	
	This analysis does not take into account the way in which the new tax credits will respond to rises in income, described in detail in The Child and Working Tax Credit. The new tax credits only respond to rises in income in the current year of more than £2,500, disregarding the first £2,500 of any risk. This means that recipients will not see their tax credits reduced as soon as their income rises, so reducing the effective marginal deduction in any one year.
	Figures are cumulative. This table shows marginal deduction rates for working households in receipt of income related benefits or new tax credits, where at least one person works 16 hours or more a week and where higher earnings would lead to reduced benefits or tax credits. They include the marginal effects of income tax and national insurance contributions, and the withdrawal of housing benefit and council tax benefit.
	As a result of the Government's reforms, over half a million fewer low-income households now face marginal deduction rates in excess of 70 per cent. than did so in April 1997. The increase in the number of households facing marginal deduction rates of between 40 and 70 per cent. is primarily due to the introduction of tax credits, and more recently the extension of support to workers aged 25 or over without children.

Golden Shares

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Government's golden shares and their value at current equity market prices.

Paul Boateng: The Government holds special shareholdings in the following companies.
	No information exists about equity market value as these shareholdings are not tradeable.
	Rosyth Royal Dockyard Ltd.
	Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd.
	QinetiQ Holdings Ltd.
	BAFS (Marine) Ltd.
	AWE plc
	BAE Systems plc
	Rolls Royce plc
	British Energy plc
	UK Nirex Ltd.
	Consignia Holdings plc
	National Grid Transco plc
	Scottish Power plc
	Scottish & Southern Energy plc
	Viridian Group plc
	Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd.
	Belfast International Airport Ltd.
	British Airports Authority plc
	National Air Traffic Services Ltd.
	London and Continental Railways Ltd.
	Eurostar Ltd.
	Intercapita & Regional Rail Ltd.
	Stena Line plc
	CDC Group plc
	Partnerships UK Ltd.
	Troika Ltd.

Illegal Food Imports

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer, of 14 May 2003, Official Report, columns 261–62W, on food imports, (a) whether the personnel for the new mobile anti-smuggling teams will be drawn from existing Customs personnel, (b) which regions the new anti-smuggling teams will operate in, (c) which regions the detector dogs will operate in, (d) what provisions are in place for replacing ill detector dogs and (e) when the publicity campaign at ports and airports in the UK and overseas will be unveiled.

John Healey: Staff for the new teams will be drawn from existing Customs personnel. The anti-smuggling teams and detector dogs are mobile and the locations of their deployment will be varied according to risk. Where illness or injury seriously impairs a detector dog's long-term effectiveness, the dog would normally be retired from duty, Customs would then arrange for the supply and training of a new dog as soon as possible.
	DEFRA publicity is continuing while Customs publicity material is developed. This will be rolled out later this year.

International Finance Facility

Robert Key: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what discussions his Department has had with the relevant finance and development departments of other donor countries regarding the proposed International Finance Facility; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what his Department's spending predictions are for (a) overseas aid after 2015 and (b) the International Finance Facility; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the financial risks associated with the proposed International Finance Facility; how he plans to minimise them; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what percentage of the funds from the proposed International Finance Facility will be given as (a) grants and (b) loans; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what contingency plans his Department has in conjunction with the Department for International Development in the event that the required number of donors for the proposed International Finance Facility reaches 50 per cent. or less of the target; and if he will make a statement;
	(6)  what criteria will be used to decide which countries will receive aid from the proposed International Finance Facility; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The UK Government continue to press the urgent case for an International Finance Facility to raise the additional finance needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 in all relevant national and international fora.
	The UK Government are committed to the UN 0.7 per cent. ODA/GNI ratio target. The UK will reach an ODA/GNI ratio of 0.4 per cent. in 2005–06 from a level of 0.26 per cent. in 1997 and 0.33 per cent. in 2003–04.
	Further details of the IFF proposal, including its proposed structure, can be found in the IFF proposal document published in January 2003 and an accompanying technical note published in February 2003. Both these documents are available in the Library of the House and on the Treasury website at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/IFF.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change (a) duty levels on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and (b) the level of grants available for vehicles converting to LPG.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar) on 14 May 2003, Official Report, column 262W.
	The consultation mentioned in that reply will seek stakeholders' views on the effectiveness of a range of potential incentives, including fuel duties and the grants for LPG vehicles currently offered through the TransportEnergy PowerShift programme.

Ministerial Correspondence Unit

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff have been employed in the Ministerial Correspondence Unit of the Department in each of the last two years.

John Healey: The unit's complement of nine staff in 2001 was increased to 10 in 2002.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Department has taken to publicise its Public Service Agreement targets; and at what cost to public funds.

Paul Boateng: Information on Public Service Agreement targets is published on the Treasury public website and included in routine publications, such as the Treasury departmental report, which involve no significant extra cost.

Royal Mint

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the independent review of the Royal Mint will be published.

Paul Boateng: Grant Thornton undertook an independent review of the Royal Mint's financial control systems in 2002. This is available on the Mint website.

Sustainable Development

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the departmental strategy for sustainable development will be published; and what steps (a) are being taken and (b) are planned to take forward the actions outlined.

John Healey: A joint Sustainable Development Statement for the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments and Agencies was agreed last year and a copy is available on the Treasury website. They are all adhering to the Government's objectives for sustainable development as set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.

Sustainable Development

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what remit relating to sustainable development is undertaken by his Department's (a) executive agencies, (b) advisory non-departmental bodies, (c) executive non-departmental bodies, (d) tribunals, (e) public corporations and (f) other bodies.

John Healey: This remit is contained in the Joint Sustainable Development Statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments and Agencies published last year. A copy is available on the Treasury's website.

Timber

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department's procurement policy includes timber used in the construction of departmental building projects; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: It is Government policy to use timber from certified sustainable sources for all departmental new builds or refurbishments.

VAT Registration

Harry Barnes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers he has over the operations of VAT to prevent master franchises from using coercive attempts to press their franchisees into registering for VAT as a means of the master franchises obtaining an exemption under the provisions of the Trading Schemes Act 1996; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: In Budget 2003, the Government raised the registration threshold for VAT to £56,000—the highest threshold in Europe. Businesses with a taxable turnover above this threshold are required to register for VAT. Businesses with a turnover below £56,000, and which make taxable supplies, are entitled to register for VAT voluntarily by application to HM Customs and Excise. Customs have no powers to determine, or to intervene in, the circumstances behind an application for voluntary registration.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Advertising

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total expenditure on advertising by the Department was in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; and what the level of planned expenditure is for (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05.

Alun Michael: The Department does not maintain records of its expenditure on advertising separately. The expenditure for publicity by Defra's Communications Directorate, which includes advertising, publications, events, shows and direct information literature mailings in financial year 2001–02 was £6.6 million and in 2002–03 is estimated to be £6.0 million. The allocation for 2003–04 is £4.3 million.
	This includes communication on a very wide range of matters, much of it necessary or beneficial to the public and the wide range of industries in which Defra has an interest, together with local government, voluntary organisations and other bodies.
	Decisions on publicity budgets for 2004–05 have not yet been made. These will be made later this year as part of the planning process

Apples

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to prevent traditional English varieties of apple from dying out.

Elliot Morley: Defra owns the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale in Kent and supports the conservation and scientific direction of the collection at a cost of some £280,000 per annum.
	The collection is a rich genetic resource, containing over 2,300 different varieties of apple as well as other top fruit and stone fruit and material from the collection is available to researchers and breeders. Research on the collection—including that on traditional varieties—is also made widely available.

Avian Influenza

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will ban imports of cull day-old chicks from the Netherlands and Belgium;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to prevent the spread of avian influenza from continental Europe to the UK;
	(3)  if she will extend the import ban on live poultry and hatching eggs to include table eggs from the Netherlands and Belgium.

Elliot Morley: In order to prevent the spread of Avian Influenza (AI) from the European Union to the UK the Department has taken the following steps.
	In March 2003 Defra issued Declarations under Regulation 27 of the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (and equivalent legislation in the devolved territories) introducing a ban on the import of live poultry, hatching eggs and racing/show pigeons from the Netherlands and Belgium. These Declarations make it a criminal offence to import live poultry and hatching eggs into England from both the Netherlands and Belgium. A further Declaration was issued on 9 May 2003 prohibiting the import of live poultry and hatching eggs from the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have also introduced similar measures.
	In normal circumstances, all birds (poultry or captive birds) entering the UK from the EU must be accompanied by an EU model health certificate stating that premises and area of origin are free from AI.
	The Government have also banned the import from the Netherlands, Belgium and from the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany of fresh, unprocessed and non-heat treated poultry manure and litter. EU legislation does not permit trade in fresh poultry meat if it was obtained from poultry originating in established surveillance zones in those countries.
	In addition, action was also taken on 16 May to ban the importation into the UK of cull day old chicks from the Netherlands, Belgium and from the Land of North
	Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.
	Table eggs do not present a high risk of spread of disease. Any risk would be of mechanical transmission of virus on eggs, packaging or means of transport. Controls in force in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany provide good safeguards against this risk and a ban on imports would be disproportionate.
	Defra has reminded egg and poultry producers in the UK about the need for stringent biosecurity measures at all times. To minimise the introduction of AI into their flocks by means of faecal contamination, poultry producers should ensure that their boots, clothing, equipment and vehicles are disinfected. Access by wild birds should be minimised, for instance by clearing up feed spillages. Officials have asked poultry producers in the UK to be vigilant for any signs of respiratory disease in birds and contact their local veterinary office immediately if they have any concerns.
	The Department is monitoring the AI situation in the EU. Should there be any significant changes, the risk assessment for the UK will be reviewed.
	Officials have reviewed and updated the Contingency Plan, are learning the lessons about the Dutch outbreak from the authorities there, and remain in close touch with the poultry industry about measures we would take should the disease appear here.

Carbon Trust/Energy Saving Trust

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what monitoring her Department has carried out to assess the effectiveness of the (a) Carbon Trust and (b) Energy Saving Trust; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Carbon Trust is a private company created in April 2001 to take the lead on energy efficiency in the business and public sectors, and to support the development of the low carbon sector in the UK. The Trust has already done much valuable work in developing its three main programme areas and is taking a proactive role in the energy efficiency arena in its role as the main source of energy efficiency information and advice for the non-domestic sector. An initial impact assessment programme for the Trust is being developed and should provide preliminary results over the summer.
	A policy evaluation of the Energy Saving Trust to review their effectiveness in carrying out their objectives in the period 1996–99 was completed in September 2000. The report concluded that the Energy Saving Trust had a valuable contribution to make to the Government's sustainable energy objectives in promoting energy efficiency and that there was a continuing case for funding those objectives that could not be met through other sources.
	The Government's Energy White Paper has made clear that they will continue to support the work of the two trusts. It also announced a review of low carbon delivery programmes and associated support bodies before the end of 2004.

Deer

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the dates were of the recent visits by DEFRA vets to the Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary; how many deer were estimated to be in the sanctuary and how many of them were inspected; how long each visit lasted; how many of the visits were done (a) during daylight and (b) after dark; what study was made during the visits of the relative size of the deer in the sanctuary against Exmoor Red Deer in general; and whether any of the deer exhibited signs of malnutrition.

Elliot Morley: The Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary was inspected by officials of the State Veterinary Service on 1 April. The detailed findings of the inspection are confidential to the managers of the Sanctuary.

Duck Farming

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will hold a public consultation on animal welfare aspects of duck farming.

Elliot Morley: We plan to hold a public consultation later this year on a revised welfare code for ducks.

Duck Farming

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the planned revision of the welfare code for duck farming, with particular reference to the provision of access to water.

Elliot Morley: The revised welfare code for ducks will be subject to public consultation later this year. The provision of access to water will be one of the areas considered.

Eggs

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her policy towards assisting the egg sector to offset the costs of additional Communities legislation.

Elliot Morley: Although we make every effort to minimise the regulatory burden on all sectors of the agriculture industry, it is not our policy to subsidise the cost of meeting legislative requirements.

Eggs

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what analysis she has made of the effect of Green Box compatible payments following impact analysis on Council Directive 1999/74/EC, on the UK egg industry; what assistance to UK producers is planned; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: A regulatory impact assessment of Council Directive 1999/74/EC on the welfare of laying hens was placed in the Library of the House. We have no plans to compensate producers for the costs of meeting this legislation.
	The egg industry are concerned that following tariff reductions in the current WTO round, they will have to compete against imports from third countries where compliance with lower standards of animal welfare confers a substantial cost advantage. The EU has successfully pressed for such non trade concerns to be taken into consideration in the negotiations and the UK will continue to play an important role in formulating EU policy in this area.

Animal By-products

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether farmers will be entitled to make retrospective claims for the collection and disposal of fallen livestock from her Department's subscription scheme for fallen livestock between May and August.

Elliot Morley: The Government do not intend to make retrospective payments to farmers for the collection and disposal of fallen stock between May and August and there is no reason to do so. The proposed subscription scheme is not an essential requirement of the Animal By-Products Regulation but a facility to help reduce costs. Participation is voluntary and the scheme is dependent on a minimum take up of 50 per cent. of holdings.

Fish Quotas

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what progress has been made in advising non-profit distributing fish quota trading companies whether the purchase of fish quotas to lease to local or member fishermen is allowed under (a) UK and (b) EU rules;
	(2)  when she expects to advise the Duchy Fish Quota Company whether its business plan to purchase and lease fish quotas (a) meets EU state aid values, (b) is eligible for European Structural Fund aid, (c) is eligible for UK national Government aid and (d) is eligible to receive public funds from local authorities;
	(3)  what advice she has given to local proposals to intervene in the market for fish quotas in order to protect the availability of that quota for fishermen within that locality.

Elliot Morley: I am aware that a scheme for quota purchase in Cornwall is under consideration. We have advised the Duchy Fish Quota Company that the use of public funds in schemes for the purchase and lease of fish quota is under examination by the European Commission, for compatibility with state aid rules. We have promised to report to the company the European Commission's conclusions when they are reached.

Free-range Eggs

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions are imposed on English bed and breakfasts on use of eggs produced by their own free-range chickens.

Elliot Morley: None. The egg marketing standards regulations do not apply to eggs supplied by the producer direct to the final consumer.

Haskins Review

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to (a) receive and (b) publish Lord Haskins' review of DEFRA and its agencies.

Alun Michael: Lord Haskins expects to submit a full report in the summer. Publication will follow as soon as possible after due consideration by Ministers.

Honours

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many officials in her Department have received honours; and how many honours are held by her officials, broken down by category of honour.

Alun Michael: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was formed in June 2001 following machinery of government changes. Departmental data held on honours relate to the period since then.
	In that time, 14 members of the Department have received an honour. Of those, five have now left, so currently nine honours awards are held by Defra officials. These comprise: one CB (Companion of the Order of the Bath), one CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), four OBEs (Officers of the Order of the British Empire) and three MBEs (Members of the Order of the British Empire). Data are not routinely kept on (a) the number of awards held by individuals, or (b) any awards received by staff before they joined the Department, or (c) awards given to current staff for achievements not related to official duties.

Laying Hens

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on DEFRA-funded research into enriched cages for laying hens;
	(2)  what research into cages for laying hens she has assessed, with particular reference to enriched cages; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Defra is currently funding research into these types of cages in order to enhance our scientific and practical knowledge. The research project which finishes in June 2004, aims to evaluate the effect of stocking density and cage height on bird behaviour, welfare and performance as well as investigating innovative material suitable for dustbathing in enriched cages. The project is a collaboration between ADAS, Bristol, Lincoln and Roslin universities.

Laying Hens

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the EU directive (1999/74/EC) in respect of height requirements for enriched cages.

Elliot Morley: Council Directive 1999/74/EC sets a minimum height of 45cm for the useable area of enriched cages.

Laying Hens

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what economic assessment she has made of the welfare of laying hens (a) housed in free-range systems and (b) housed in barn systems; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: An economic assessment of the effect of Council Directive 1999/74/EC on alternative systems was undertaken as part of the Regulatory Impact Assessment prepared for the implementation of this Directive into domestic law.
	Further economic assessments will be carried out in preparation for the 2005 Review of Directive 1999/74/EC.

Live Animal Exports

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the export of livestock to France in each of the last three years.

Elliot Morley: All livestock exports from the United Kingdom to France must comply with strict animal health and welfare rules. In particular, additional EU animal health rules which were introduced in 2001 as a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak have applied to all sheep and goat exports from the UK to France since EU trade restrictions were lifted.

National Parks

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many national parks there are; how much land they cover; and what representations she has received to (a) enlarge them and (b) create new national parks.

Alun Michael: The seven National Parks in England, together with the Broads (which are of similar status) cover 993,592 hectares. This is 7 per cent. of the land area of England. The Countryside Agency is responsible for designating National Parks in England and modifying their boundaries, subject to confirmation by the Secretary of State. Since Defra was established in July 2001, the Agency has submitted Designation Orders for new National Parks in the New Forest and the South Downs. The Agency has not sought to enlarge any existing National Parks. Last year's review of English National Park Authorities recommended that the boundary of the Broads should be studied, and Defra has had occasional queries about boundary changes elsewhere.
	Responsibilities for National Parks in Wales and Scotland lie with the devolved administrations and their respective statutory advisers.

Network Rail

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department was consulted by Network Rail in respect of its plans to cut back vegetation along railway lines; whether the matter has been discussed with the Department of Transport; and if she has made an assessment of the tree removal programme with regard to biodiversity.

Elliot Morley: All wild birds, and certain animals and plants, are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. For all birds, listed plants and animals it is an offence to kill, or take any species. Licences can be issued under section 16 of the Act to derogate from this protection for specific reasons, such as public health and safety.
	Network Rail has not consulted the Department, nor have officials discussed this matter with the Department of Transport. However, where railway companies propose to remove trees, scrub or vegetation from railway properties, the Department would advise that such work is undertaken outside of the breeding and rearing season for birds, and with the minimum of disruption to animals and plants.
	The Department has not made an assessment of the effect of the tree removal programme on biodiversity.

Public Awareness Activities

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what budgets her Department has allocated for public awareness activities in each financial year to 2005–06; and to what policy areas funds have been allocated.

Alun Michael: Defra has allocated £7.6 million for publicity-related expenditure in 2003–04. Of this, the significant allocations are: £2.3 million for Environmental Protection; £0.6 million for the Waste Implementation programme; £1 million for Flood Awareness; £0.25 million for Wildlife and Countryside; £0.25 million for Illegal Imports awareness; and a further £1.5 million for events around England which are principally focused on communicating Defra's policies on Sustainable Food, Farming and Rural Affairs. We are currently assessing the priorities for the remaining funds against our strategic communications objectives.
	Decisions on publicity budgets for 2004–05 and 2005–06 will be made later this year as part of the planning process

Rural Payments/Policy

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of Suckler Cow Premium Scheme payments had been made by the Rural Payments Agency for 2001–02 claims.

Alun Michael: As of 20 May 2003, balance payments under the 2001 Suckler Cow Premium Scheme have been made on over 97 per cent. of claims. Remaining claims have either been rejected or are being considered under Category 5 of the 2001 Bovine penalty review. Under the 2002 scheme, advance payments have been issued on over 80 per cent. of claims.

Rural Payments/Policy

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the Countryside Agency's rural policy report to be published.

Alun Michael: I understand that the Countryside Agency will publish its annual rural proofing report on 3 June.

Salmon

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason salmon in the Hampshire Avon are being tagged by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; what the anticipated mortality rate is among tagged salmon; what prior consultation was undertaken with (a) riparian owners and (b) angling interests; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: One cause of the decline in salmon stocks may be increases in river temperatures resulting from natural factors or human activities. This could reduce the survival or reproductive success of the fish. The tags used in the study record temperature and transmit the fish's position, allowing scientists to investigate whether or not adult salmon show temperature preferences during upstream migration. This is of particular relevance to the spring-running multi-sea winter salmon in the Avon, which are resident in freshwater for many months prior to spawning. The results of this work will be used to provide advice to Government and other organisations dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of salmon stocks, on the potential impacts of habitat management practices and climate change on salmonid populations.
	Between 1985 and 1990 more than 400 salmon were tagged with radio transmitting tags in the Avon estuary. The great majority of these fish entered the Avon and were tracked migrating upstream to their spawning areas. 45 were reported caught by anglers, which is consistent with recapture rates elsewhere of conventionally tagged fish. No radio-tagged fish were found dead in the river. This suggests that tagging salmon with radio tags has a negligible influence upon their natural behaviour or survival.
	Both riparian owners and angling interests were consulted through the Environment Agency, who discussed the work with the Chairman of the Avon and Stour Fishery Association; riparian interests were sent a copy of a letter from CEFAS explaining the purpose of the work and the methods to be used. The Chairman of the Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust, and English Nature, were also consulted.

Skips

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the local authorities which have levied charges for licences to place skips on the highway; what changes have been made; and if she will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	My Department does not hold information as to which local authorities levy charges for placing skips on the highway.

Sponsorship

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of her Department's projects have received sponsorship in the last financial year; who the sponsor was in each case; what the nature of each project was; what time period was covered by each project; what the total cost of each project was; how much money was involved in each sponsorship deal; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: Details of individual amounts of sponsorship valued at more than £5,000 would be published in the Defra Departmental Report and the Department's annual, audited Resource Accounts.
	The Department's projects received no such sponsorship in 2002–03.

Veterinary Medicines

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts in relation to the supply of veterinary medicines.

Elliot Morley: There are a number of European fora attended by my officials and those of the other Member States at which issues relating to veterinary medicines are discussed and at which issues relating to their supply may be raised. In particular, European Commission proposals to amend medicines legislation, including one to require a prescription for all medicines for use in food-producing animals, are currently being discussed in a series of Council Working Groups. This year the Working Group has met twice each month except February when there was one meeting. My officials are seeking to modify the Commission's proposal to enable a flexible approach to the distribution of veterinary medicinal products that takes advantage of existing national practices, so long as consumer protection and animal welfare can be demonstrably assured.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Agency Workers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many agency workers have been employed by the Department in each of the last two years; and at what cost to public funds.

Kim Howells: From May 1 2001 to April 30 2002, DCMS employed 92 agency workers at a cost of £409,742.
	From May 1 2002 to April 30 2003, DCMS employed 86 agency workers at a cost of £485,518.

English Heritage

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what finance was allocated to English Heritage in each year since 1997; and how many sites and buildings have been listed in this time.

Kim Howells: The Government grant-in-aid allocation to English Heritage was £105.2 million in 1997–98, £102.4 million in 1998–99, £114.9 million in 1999–2000, £116.8 million in 2000–01, £110.4 million in 2001–02, and £116.4 million in 2002–03; and 7,898 items were included by the Department in the statutory list of buildings of architectural or historic interest during that period, following the receipt of advice from English Heritage.

Film Industry

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her Answer, of 7 May 2003, Official Report, columns 729–30W, on film certificates, what the estimated tax cost of relief provided under section 48 of the Finance (No.2) Act 1997 was in each year since 1997 for (a) theatrical films, (b) all (c) television fiction and documentaries; (d) televison other, (e) certified copy and counts in no category and (f) co-productions.

Kim Howells: HM Treasury maintains the confidentiality of individual tax returns. Information in the categories listed as (a) to (f) is only available in terms of the production costs of films certified by DCMS. The categories for which production costs of film and television productions certified by DCMS are available are (a) "theatrical films certified"; (b) "all television productions certified", and (f) "all co-productions certified". These figures are set out in the table.
	A separate record has not been maintained of the costs of "television fiction & documentary" and "television other" productions. DCMS expects the tax cost of certified copy certificates to be zero. DCMS records the productions costs as zero when copy certificates are issued, only recording the real production cost when the film is originally certified.
	
		Annual expenditure on certified British films
		
			 Categories 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 (a) Total value of Schedule 1 & co-production films (with some theatrical potential Certified 179 254 449 407 820 973 
			 (b) Total value of domestic & co-production small screen productions Certified n/k n/k n/k n/a 816 1,018 
			 Aggregate of everything certified 
			 Total value of Co-Production films with some theatrical potential Certified n/k n/k n/k n/k 1,628 1,991 
			 Co-productions Certified   
			 Total value of co-production films with some theatrical potential certified 43 60 79 91 245 408 
			 Total value of small screen Co-productions certified n/k n/k n/k n/k 92 130 
			 (f) Total value of all co-productions certified n/k n/k n/k n/k 337 538 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. "Certified films" include films certified as British under Schedule 1 of the 1985 Films Act and official UK co-productions which received final approval.
	2. Value figures are in £ million.
	3. Years are calendar years.
	4. For some films certified before 28 August 2000, a production cost figure is unavailable. However this is not believed to cause significant distortion overall.
	n/k = not known.
	The new definition of a British film came into force on 27/8/1999, since when some TV production costs are also known.
	Only from 28 August 2000 are production costs known for all certified TV & film productions.
	Updated 19 May 2003.

Legal Deposit Libraries Bill

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the National Library of Wales regarding the Legal Deposit Libraries Bill.

Richard Caborn: We have discussed with the Welsh Assembly and the British Library, both of whom represent the interests of the National Library of Wales, all aspects of the Bill.

Legal Deposit Libraries Bill

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from on-line publishers regarding the Legal Deposit Libraries Bill.

Richard Caborn: We have received representations from on-line publishers about all aspects of the Bill that affect their interests, and officials have met them to discuss the points they have raised.

Legal Deposit Libraries Bill

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial provision she has made for legal deposit libraries arising from their new responsibilities under the Legal Deposit Libraries Bill.

Richard Caborn: We have discussed the financial consequences with the British Library who have told us that they can meet the costs within existing resources. We have not received any representations on funding from the other deposit libraries.

Local Authority Grants

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what specific or direct grants have been made by her Department to local authorities for 2003–04 (a) in England and (b) broken down by local authority, identifying whether the grant is (i) ring fenced, (ii) a specific formula grant, (iii) within aggregate external finance and (iv) outside aggregate external finance.

Richard Caborn: The information for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is as follows:
	Grant to Tyne & Wear Museums Service: £1,100,000. A federation of ten museums and galleries run by the Tyne and Wear local authorities. This grant is ring fenced and is outside of Aggregate External Finance.
	Grant to Greater London Authority: £1,900,000. The grant is ring-fenced for tourism purposes and is inside Aggregate External Finance.
	Under section 378 (1)(a) and (b) of the Greater London Authority Act (1999) the Greater London Authority has a duty to promote Tourism. Under the terms of the Agreement between DCMS and the GLA the DCMS grant must be used for tourism purposes.

Museums and Galleries

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of total government financial support for museums and galleries (a) in London and (b) in the rest of England, in each year from 1996–97; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: An estimate of financial support to be provided by Government for museums and galleries in London and the rest of England is listed in the table. The distribution of funding reflects the fact that the larger national museums are based in London.
	Further government support for museums and many other services is channelled through the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services block, and is not separately identified. Individual authorities decide what to spend on local museums, from 1996–97 to 2001–02 they spent over £80 million on local museums m London and almost £800 million on local museums in the rest of England. Museums and galleries also receive some funding from the EC budget through the Structural Funds.
	
		£ million
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 London 194.16 193.26 194.83 207.76 217.14 233.60 254.08 
			 Rest of England 39.98 35.49 34.07 39.94 41.65 46.62 53.42 
			 Total 234.14 228.75 228.9 248.7 258.79 280.22 307.5 
		
	
	Note:
	Branches of London museums in the rest of England are included in the London figure.

Regional Arts Councils

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the savings made following the restructuring of regional arts councils in May 2001.

Kim Howells: On 1 April 2002, the Arts Council and the Regional Arts Boards merged to form a single organisation to support the arts in England. A key outcome of this merger will be a reduction in administration costs and these savings will be made available to the arts. Arts Council England has announced that they will save nearly £20 million over the next three years. The forecast timing of these savings is: 2003–04 £4.1 million, 2004–05 £7.4 million and 2005–06 £8.1million.

Youth Football

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the change in financial support to funding youth football teams in Shropshire will be for the next season.

Richard Caborn: The Government invest substantially in the development of youth football through the Football Foundation. The Foundation makes substantial contributions to the funding of football in Shropshire. Over £1 million has been spent on grass-roots development and community and education initiatives in 2002–03. This includes an approved grant of £62,000 for a football development scheme run by Telford and Wrekin Council. In 2003–04, three grass-root development applications totalling approximately £300,000 have been received so far for good causes in the county. These are currently being considered.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Advertising

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total expenditure on advertising by the Department was in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; and what the level of planned expenditure is for (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05.

Patricia Hewitt: DTI advertising expenditure through the COI was
	(a) £7,128,875 (2001–02)
	(b) £13,741,906 (2002–03) provisional figure
	Details of planned advertising expenditure in 2003–04 and 2004–05 is not held centrally and will become available only at the end of these financial years.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to require public limited companies to publish an annual social responsibility report.

Melanie Johnson: The Government's plans for a revised reporting regime for all companies were contained in the White Paper "Modernising Company Law" (Cm 5553), published in July 2002. This included the proposal that economically significant companies should be required to prepare an Operating and Financial Review as part of their annual financial statements and reports. The Review would include information on matters of corporate social responsibility where those were relevant to an informed assessment of the company.
	We continue to encourage companies to publish annual corporate social responsibility reports on a voluntary basis.

Atypical Workers Directive

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what estimate the Government has made of the number of jobs that would be affected if the Atypical Workers Directive were implemented;
	(2)  what estimate the Government has made of the costs of implementing the Atypical Workers Directive;
	(3)  if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the Atypical Workers Directive;
	(4)  what study of the comparative effects across the EU of the Atypical Workers Directive the Government has made; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The Government are not opposed in principle to the proposed directive on agency work but are keenly aware of the potential impact on UK agencies and agency workers of a directive that takes no account of conditions in the UK labour market. The Government are pressing very hard for the UK's legitimate concerns to be recognised.
	The Department of Trade and Industry has not produced a study of the potential impact on other countries in the European Union. The European Commission's impact assessment (Commission Paper 2002 149) was published in March 2002 with their proposal for a directive. This document is in the Libraries of the House.
	An explanatory memorandum setting out the Government's policy on the proposed directive and a regulatory impact assessment of the potential costs and benefits for the UK including a discussion of possible employment effects have been published and are in the Libraries.

Company Auditors

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to make auditors subject to a single statutory regulator.

Melanie Johnson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 29 April 2003, Official Report, columns 311–12W.

Company Auditors

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to impose a duty of care to (a) shareholders and (b) employers on company auditors.

Melanie Johnson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 19 March 2003, Official Report, column 766W.

Competitiveness Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Competitiveness Council held on 12 to 13 May; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: My hon. Friend the Minister for Employment Relations, Industry and the Regions, represented the UK at the Competitiveness Council on 13 May 2003.
	The council adopted conclusions on Industry Policy in an Enlarged Europe, which were discussed at the Competitiveness Council on 3 March 2003.
	The commission introduced its new Communication on Innovation Policy. Among other things it highlights the EU's continued underperformance in turning ideas into commercially successful products and services. The commission emphasised that new models and marketing methods were as important as exploiting technological research. Key characteristics of EU policy should be an emphasis on diffusion, and seeing the world from a business perspective. Other important elements were innovation in the public sector, regional diversity and the challenges of diversity.
	The UK welcomed the communication, while expressing some disappointment that the commission had not done more to integrate research and innovation policy. The communication could also have gone further in promoting the role of competition. A light touch was needed in applying the open method of co-ordination.
	Many similar points were made in discussion on the commission's Action Plan for increasing spending on Research and Development to 3 per cent. of GDP. Member states particularly stressed the need for fiscal and other incentives, and more flexibility over state aid. This area was of equal importance to accession states; Slovenia was interested in the question of policy co-ordination and how to make markets work better.
	Commissioner Liikanen presented the commission's 7th Report on the situation of world shipbuilding. The report highlighted that the difficulties in world shipbuilding are growing, as evidenced by a further decrease in orders for new vessels in the major shipbuilding regions in 2002. The commission stressed that the most important market segments for EU yards developed negatively. For EU producers, order intake in 2002 was down by 50 per cent. compared to 2001. Investigations into Korean yards show that there were large-scale subsidies, and the commission was working closely with industry representatives on the challenges the sector currently faces, and would report by the end of the year. The French and Spanish delegations, supported by Germany and Portugal urged the commission to extend the temporary defence mechanism and include liquid gas carriers. France also pressed for the commission to open a WTO dispute procedure against Korea.
	In introducing the Communication on European Defence—Industrial and Market Issues the commission argued that the industrial aspects of defence equipment supply were important for EU competitiveness. The fragmented state for the EU market needed to be overcome, and consolidation should be encouraged by an appropriate regulatory framework which would promote cost-effectiveness. Commissioner Busquin supported this with a plea for more civil/military synergy in R&D. A number of member states were cautious. The UK gave a broad welcome but said detailed examination would be needed, including inter-governmental work on key issues.
	The council considered a draft resolution which broadly supported the commission's Green Paper on European Space Policy and better co-operation between the commission and the European Space Agency. After a comprehensive discussion, and concerns raised by the Italian and German delegations, details on the form and scope of such an agreement were deleted. The resolution was then agreed.
	Wide-ranging proposals for regulation of chemicals were presented by the commission. Commissioner Liikanen recognised the need to strike a balance between public health and environmental objectives on the one side, and competitiveness on the other and stressed the commission's effort to ease the burden on SMEs and respond to industry concerns. A number of member states, including the UK, intervened to warn of major concerns over the effect on competitiveness and the danger of moving chemical production outside the EU, and emphasised the need for impact assessment and for the Competitiveness Council to keep the issue under review. The Italian delegation said that the legal base included Article 95, which meant that the Competitiveness Council should lead on the dossier, and indicated that this would feature highly on the agenda during their presidency.
	The commission also presented their latest report on the Life Sciences and Biotechnology Strategy, stressing three key priorities: more effective use of intellectual property rights; the need to implement EU legislation on GMOs; and improved access to finance.
	Ministers discussed the arrangements for selecting the site for the new International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). All member states apart from Spain agreed with the draft council conclusions supporting the commission's approach that a single EU candidate site should be selected to compete subsequently with the non-EU sites. Spain argued that the EU would stand a better chance if both EU sites (French and Spanish) were put forward together. The presidency was forced to abandon formal conclusions, and summed up that all Spain could accept the suggested process, which would be based on an objective criteria and expert input.

Travel Insurance (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what plans she has to encourage travel insurance companies to warn their clients that they are not covered for death, personal injury or loss of income due to flight-related deep vein thrombosis;
	(2)  what plans she has to issue advice to holiday makers about the absence of travel insurance cover for flight-related deep vein thrombosis.

Melanie Johnson: We currently have no plans to issue advice to holiday makers or travel insurance companies about travel insurance cover for deep vein thrombosis, although I am advised that such cover is available. It is important that consumers check details of any exclusions themselves before they take out insurance, to ensure that it is suitable for their needs and circumstances.
	The Government is helping with research being carried out under the auspices of the World Health Organisation into the incidence, extent and cause of deep vein thrombosis amongst air travellers.

EU Committees

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list (a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU advisory committee on employment, (b) the number of times, and the dates, on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the House.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	The delegation is made up of the Director of the Joint International Unit, the Divisional Manager of the European Union Division and the Leader of the Employment Policy team.
	The Employment Committee (EMCO) has met 10 times since January 2002.
	The Employment Committee does not take decisions as such. Rather it considers issues and produces Opinions which reflect the views of the member states. These are then submitted to the Council of Ministers where decisions are made. The documents on which decisions are taken in the Council of Ministers are subject to the normal scrutiny procedures.
	Dates of the meetings, the agenda items and a summary of the Opinions are as follows:
	2002:
	7 and 8 February informal meeting, Spain. Two opinions were adopted (on the Commission's synthesis report and on the Action Plan on Skills and Mobility); both were submitted to the Council.
	The agenda:
	Joint Council and Commission report on increasing participation and promoting active ageing—EMCO Opinion
	The Commission Communication on 'The Lisbon Strategy—Making Change Happen' (the Commission's synthesis report)—EMCO Opinion
	The report of the High Level Task Force on Skills and Mobility, the Commission Action Plan on Skills and Mobility, and the Commission Communication on Making a European Area of Lifelong Learning a Reality—EMCO Opinion
	Employment Strategy: debating the future (following the informal Ministerial meeting in Burgos)
	National Action Plan (NAP) structure 2002 and the use of quality in work indicators
	Work Programme 2002
	7 May. One opinion on the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs) 2002 which was submitted to the Council.
	The agenda:
	BEPGs 2002—EMCO Opinion
	Peer Review programme 2002–03
	Strengthening the local dimension of the Employment Strategy
	6 June. No opinions were adopted at this meeting.
	The agenda:
	Impact evaluation of the Employment Strategy
	Report on the Ad Hoc Group's examination of the NAPs 2002
	Report on indicators for the Joint Employment Report (JER) 2002
	Study on the potential of Community policies for employment promotion
	Election of two vice-Chairpersons
	18 and 19 July informal meeting in Denmark. The Committee adopted a report on indicators to be used in the JER 2002.
	The agenda:
	Impact evaluation of the Employment Strategy
	Employment in Europe 2002
	Employment and the Structural Funds (to be confirmed)
	Commission paper on human capital, growth and employment (to be confirmed)
	20 September. One opinion and one contribution to the Commission were adopted (the final outcome was a joint opinion with the Economic Policy Committee (EPC) on the future direction of the European Employment Strategy (EES), which was submitted to the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (ESPHCA)/Economic and Financial (ECOFIN) Council, and a letter from the Chair to the Commissioners Monti and Diamantopoulou on the competition policies).
	The agenda:
	Evaluation of the EES
	Draft Commission document (Part 1) to the Joint Employment Report 2002
	State aids and employment
	Report from The High level Group on Industrial Relations and Change in the European Union and the Commission Communication "Social dialogue, a force for innovation and change"
	24 October. No opinion as the meeting was cancelled.
	The agenda:
	Commission assessment report on employment challenges for the candidate countries
	Other issues to be decided
	21 and 22 November. Two opinions (the final outcome was a joint EMCO/EPC/SPC position on structural indicators and a draft for Council conclusions on streamlining prepared jointly by the EMCO/EPC/SPC—both of these were submitted to the ESPHCA/ECOFIN Council).
	Employment Guidelines 2003
	Joint Employment Report 2002
	Employment recommendations to member states
	Contribution to the preparation of the BEPGs 2003—EMCO contribution
	Structural indicators—EMCO Opinion
	Report from the Indicators Group on the follow up on quality in work indicators
	Work Programme 2003 2003:
	28 January. No opinions were adopted at this meeting.
	The agenda:
	Commission Communication 'The future of the European Employment Strategy'
	Commission Communication 'Choosing to grow: Knowledge, innovation and jobs in a cohesive society' (Commission's report to the Spring Summit)
	Finalisation of the draft Joint Employment Report 2002
	Discussion on the revision of the EMCO rules of procedure
	Work programme 2003
	20 and 21 February informal meeting, Greece. One contribution (EMCO proposal for key messages from the Council (EPSCO) on the future of the EES).
	Finalisation of the EMCO contribution to the preparation of the Spring Summit (following the informal Ministerial meeting in Nafplion on 24 January) on the basis of the Commission Communication 'The future of the European Employment Strategy', the Commission Communication 'Choosing to grow: Knowledge, innovation and jobs in a cohesive society' and the draft Joint Employment Report 2002
	Debate on the format and coverage of the annual National Action Plans for employment (NAPs)
	Election of a new Chairperson
	23 April. No opinions were adopted.
	The Commission's Guidelines Package (including proposals for the Employment Guidelines 2003, employment recommendations to member states and the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines 2003)—first discussion
	Debate on the issue of 'making work pay'
	Report from the Ad Hoc Group on the future role of the Group (possibly including the adoption of the revised terms of reference for the Group).

Export Controls

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 1 May 2003, Official Report, column 456W, on export control, if she will make it her policy to inform the Metropolitan Police of proposed legislative changes to export controls.

Nigel Griffiths: All relevant Government bodies are informed when making legislative changes to export controls, including the Home Office.

Fireworks

Paul Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussion she has had with the Home Department regarding the anti-social behaviour aspect of firework abuse; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Department has been in discussion with the Home Office about its penalty notices for the disorder offences scheme. Pilots are currently running in four police force areas in England and Wales. There are 11 penalty offences in the scheme, including that of throwing fireworks in the street. The Home Secretary announced on 14 May that the scheme is now to be rolled out nationally.
	Discussions with the Home Office have also taken place on the anti-social misuse of fireworks relating to issues of enforcement arising from the current Private Member's Fireworks Bill.

Fireworks

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues in the Northern Ireland Office regarding the implementation of the Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.

Melanie Johnson: The Department had discussions with the Northern Ireland Office regarding the Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 when the Fireworks Bill, which my right hon. Friend sponsors, was being drafted.
	In the light of the recent press notice issued by the Northern Ireland Office highlighting the success of the Northern Ireland Regulations, officials will be having further discussions particularly in relation to the lessons learned in Northern Ireland and what elements of the Northern Ireland legislation might be used in any fireworks regulations applying to the rest of the United Kingdom which may come out of the Fireworks Bill currently before Parliament.

Garages and Car Dealers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce a system of licensing for independent motor vehicle garages and franchised motor dealers; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: I have no plans at present to introduce a system of licensing for garages or motor dealers. I support the initiative announced on 15 May for trade associations in the sector to seek Office of Fair Trading approval for a new code of practice to enable consumers to identify garages committed to delivering good customer service.
	The new code will implement a set of minimum standards of customer service through a process of audit checks and other compliance measures, including mystery shopping. Consumers will have a mechanism for having complaints dealt with and have access to independent arbitration where a matter cannot be resolved with the garage, Participation in the Code will be open to businesses that are not members of trade associations.
	At the core of the new code is an independent advisory group, including representatives from trading standards and the National Consumer Council, which will help design and approve a strong compliance system to ensure that participating garages meet the Code standards.

Honours

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many officials in her Department have received honours; and how many honours are held by her officials, broken down by category of honour.

Patricia Hewitt: Since the beginning of 2000, 48 members of the Department of Trade and Industry have received a State honour. The breakdown by level of award is as follows.
	
		
			 Award Number 
		
		
			 KCB 1 
			 Kt 1 
			 GCMG 1 
			 CMG 3 
			 CB 6 
			 CBE 6 
			 OBE 12 
			 MBE 18 
		
	
	Data are not routinely kept on:
	The number of awards held by individuals
	Awards that are not related to official duties
	Awards already held by staff before joining the Department
	Awards held by staff transferring to the Department under machinery of Government moves
	Whether recipients of awards remain in the Department

KPMG

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many contracts her Department has awarded to KPMG since 1997.

Patricia Hewitt: Central records indicate 14 contracts have been awarded since 1 April 1999. Information is not held centrally for earlier years and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Newspaper Distribution

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the report by the OFT into the Wholesale Code of Practice on newspaper distribution;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the request by the National Federation of Newsagents for a full referral of newspaper and magazine distribution to the Competition Commission by her Department.

Melanie Johnson: The OFT is currently finalising its recommendations to its review of the Code of Practice on newspaper distribution, in the light of the responses it has received to its public consultation. The OFT will be publishing its conclusions in the summer. We will consider the OFT's final report before deciding what action is needed.

Non-executive Directors

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to make non-executive directors of companies subject to (a) election and (b) approval by employees.

Melanie Johnson: A company's Articles of Association will usually determine the procedure for the appointment of directors. Most quoted companies' Articles require directors to be elected by the shareholders every three years.

Post Office Card Account

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the redesign of the pin pad for Post Office card account cardholders.

Stephen Timms: The Post Office is working to ensure their services are as accessible to as many customers as possible. In the short term the Post Office intends to improve current PIN pads by fitting a guard over the buttons to help guide customers. I understand that this will be done as soon as possible. In the longer term they intend to look at technological options to provide a secure alternative to PIN pads for people unable to use them.

Post Office Card Account

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Blaby, of 16 May 2003, Official Report, column 466W, on post office subsidies, when the Government expects to receive European Commission approval for the state aid announced in December 2002; and when post offices will start to receive these funds.

Stephen Timms: As I said in my reply to the question referred to by the hon. Member, the timetable for state aid clearance is a matter for the European Commission. DTI continues to work closely with the Commission to ensure that the questions and issues they raise are responded to as quickly as possible. We are confident we have a strong case and we hope to have approval in due course. The £450 million of support for the rural post office network runs from April 2003 to 2006. Post Office Ltd. will administer the fund within the guidelines and parameters set by Government.

Post Office Card Account

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Postwatch in resolving Royal Mail customers' complaints.

Stephen Timms: When it was established in 2001 one of Postwatch's key objectives, agreed with the Department of Trade and Industry, was to provide more effective complaint handling performance. That performance is measured through an annual customer satisfaction survey.
	The details of the 2001 survey are published in the Postwatch Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The 2002 survey results will be published in the Postwatch Annual Report and Accounts 2003–04, a copy of which will be placed in the Libraries of the House at the end of June 2003.

Remuneration Packages (Senior Staff)

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to give company employees a role in determining remuneration packages for senior executives and directors.

Melanie Johnson: Remuneration of company employees, including senior executives is a matter for the company. Remuneration of directors is a matter for the company's board, and for its shareholders.

Secondments

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 14 April 2003, Official Report, column 488W, on departmental secondees, if she will list (a) private sector companies, (b) NGOs and (c) other, to which civil servants have been seconded from her Department, in each case giving (i) the dates of secondment and (ii) the grade of the civil servant seconded, in each year since 1997–98.

Patricia Hewitt: From records held centrally in my Department, the information requested is contained in a table which has been placed in the Library.

Sickness Absence

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent estimate her Department has made of the cost to industry and business in the UK of sickness absence; and what plans have been made to tackle abuse of sickness absence by employees.

Alan Johnson: According to latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive, the cost to employers in the UK of work-related illness was around £1.1 billion in 1995–96. The Government believe employers themselves are best placed to tackle the problem of sick leave in those cases where it is being abused. Acas publishes some guidance on how employers might deal with absences, including sickness absences.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

Departmental Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Advocate General what creche facilities are provided by her Department; and at what cost.

Lynda Clark: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given below by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Staff Union Duties

John Bercow: To ask the Advocate General how many staff in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies receive paid leave to undertake union duties; how many days they are allocated; and what has been the cost to public funds in 2002.

Lynda Clark: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland at column 911W.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what créche facilities are provided by her Department; and at what cost.

Helen Liddell: My Department does not provide créche facilities. Staff on loan from the Scottish Executive or other departments can access facilities or support provided by their parent organisation.

Dover House

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many functions have been held in Dover House in each of the last six years.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. The following number of events have been held in Dover House in the three full years since then:
	
		
			  Number of events 
		
		
			 2000–01 22 
			 2001–02 20 
			 2002–03 27 
		
	
	The majority of the above have been events sponsored by third parties, often charities, using Dover House as a venue to support work they are doing in Scotland. For example, in 2000–01 and 2001–02, 14 of the events held were third party receptions and in 2002–03, 20 of the events held were third party receptions (with no costs accruing to the Department). The hon. Member himself was instrumental in Dover House being used as a venue to promote tourism as a spin off from the production of a television programme which was filmed in his constituency.

Entertainment Costs

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she has entertained Labour hon. Members at public expense in the last 12 months; and at what cost.

Helen Liddell: No separate functions or entertainment have been provided solely for Labour MPs at departmental expense.

Staff Union Duties

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies receive paid leave to undertake union duties; how many days they are allocated; and what has been the cost to public funds in 2002.

Helen Liddell: No staff in my Department receive paid facility time on a full time basis to undertake trade union activities.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces (Undermanning)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the extent of undermanning in the armed forces this year; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: As at 1 April 2003 the shortfall against the current trained requirement of the armed forces stood at 6,510. This is an improvement on the same time last year with an increase in the overall trained strength and a decrease in the deficit.
	All three Services are working hard to address the shortfalls so that the targets set out in the current Public Service Agreements can be met.
	Details of undermanning by individual Service as at 1 April 2003 are shown as follows:
	
		
			  Naval Service Army RAF 
		
		
			 Trained requirement 38,510 106,980 49,640 
			 Trained strength 37,600 102,120 48,900 
			 Shortfall -910 -4,850 -750

EU Defence Ministers Meeting

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which US officials were invited to attend the EU Defence Ministers' meeting in Brussels on 19 May.

Geoff Hoon: None: the United States is not a member of the European Union.

EU Defence Ministers Meeting

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Defence Ministers' Meeting in Brussels on 19 May.

Geoff Hoon: European Union Defence Ministers at the General Affairs and External Relations Council focused mainly on military capabilities, noting that
	"the EU now has operational capability across the full range of Petersberg tasks, limited and constrained by recognised shortfalls." These shortfalls particularly affect speed of deployment and level of risk for larger scale, higher-intensity tasks. Ministers endorsed the launch of ECAP Project Groups, in which participating member states will work on implementing selected solutions identified by the ECAP Panels. Ministers welcomed the first meeting of the EU-NATO Capability Group, which will help to ensure that EU efforts on military capabilities are coherent and mutually reinforcing with the work in NATO, as well as proposals in the context of the Convention for an EU defence capabilities development and acquisition agency. Ministers also noted the significant progress on ESDP since their last formal meeting in November 2002, and in particular, agreement on the Berlin Plus arrangements with NATO and the launch of the first military ESDP operation in Macedonia. The full Conclusions from the General Affairs and External Relations Council will be placed in the Library in the House shortly.

European Security and Defence Policy

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the conditions under which the UK Government would approve a military operation under the European Security and Defence Policy without (a) the express approval of all NATO allies and (b) NATO support and involvement.

Geoff Hoon: All European Union member states have agreed to develop a European Security and Defence Policy to give the European Union
	"an autonomous capacity to take decisions, and, where NATO as a whole is not engaged, to launch and conduct EU-led military operations" within the scope of the Petersberg tasks. NATO and the EU are independent international organisations. ESDP operations would be considered only where NATO is not engaged.
	ESDP operations may be conducted either using NATO assets and capabilities, or without recourse to these assets. The EU will make a decision on this for each operation on a case by case basis. A NATO decision will be needed to approve any request by the EU to use NATO assets and capabilities for operations.
	The United Kingdom will decide its position on any proposed ESDP operation on a case by case basis. Considerations would include the objective of the proposed operation as well as the views of partners and allies.

Iraq

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been taken by British forces in Iraq to remove and make safe (a) unexploded cluster bomblets, (b) landmines and (c) depleted uranium.

Geoff Hoon: Providing a safe, secure and risk free environment for the Iraqi people is a key aspect of restoration activity for the Coalition. When any unexploded munitions—including cluster bomblets and mines—are discovered, United Kingdom and other Coalition forces mark the site and inform those in the vicinity. Their normal practice is then to destroy the munitions in situ. Those that present the greatest threat to human life and coalition operations are destroyed first.
	Increasing amounts of independent research by eminent scientists within groups such as the Royal Society Depleted Uranium Working Group and the United Nations Environment Programme support the view that DU levels will only necessitate precautions to prevent or reduce possible intakes in highly localised areas. As many defeated tanks as possible within the British area of operations are being cordoned off and kept undisturbed, awaiting scientific examination.
	In support of the United Nations Environment Programme environmental survey of Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has released information on DU used by UK Forces in the Iraq conflict and will be making available details of where that usage occurred. The UK Government will be considering carefully any scientific data which may emerge concerning environmental issues in Iraq.

Iraq

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce plans for a march past or other event of the UK Armed Forces to mark the role of the UK Armed Forces in the recent conflict in Iraq.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces gave on 6 May 2003, Official Report, column 573W, to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Rosindell).

Mutual Defence Agreement

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many visits of UK personnel to the US under the auspices of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement occurred in 2002.

Adam Ingram: The number of visits by United Kingdom personnel, involving one or more individuals, to the United States in 2002 under the auspices of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement was 237.

Sandhurst Military Academy

David Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason officer cadets at Sandhurst Military Academy have been refused permission to play rugby league; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Games and Sports Committee at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst was asked to consider the introduction of Rugby League at the Academy at its meeting on 15 May 2003. This committee meets three times a year and resources for the summer sports programme had already been allocated at its meeting in January 2003.
	The committee reluctantly decided that, due to the number of sports activities already planned, the introduction of Rugby League this summer should be deferred. Currently there is neither the infrastructure, equipment, facilities nor back-up experience to support this venture at such short notice. The committee will revisit the matter again at its next meeting in September, and I am sure will give it careful consideration.

Terrorism

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's plans are for the future involvement of British forces in combating international terrorism in (a) the Far East, (b) the Middle East and (c) Europe.

Geoff Hoon: The United Kingdom is committed to the defeat of international terrorism and where appropriate, UK forces will be used to combat terrorism. The New Chapter to the Strategic Defence Review outlined our plans to enhance our capabilities to detect, deter, disrupt, coerce and, if necessary, destroy terrorist cells. This forms part of the Government's wider efforts to defeat terrorism through the use of a wide range of diplomatic, social, economic and legal tools.

PRIME MINISTER

Attorney-General

William Cash: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions since 1973 on which the advice of the Attorney-General to Ministers was (a) published in full, (b) published in summary form and (c) reported orally to either House of Parliament.

Tony Blair: It has been the practice of successive Governments not to publish advice from the Attorney-General.
	Ministers of this Government are not accountable for what happened under previous Administrations. However, under this Government for example, as the hon. Member will be aware, the Attorney-General made a statement on 17 March setting out his views on the legality of the use of armed force against Iraq. The Attorney-General's advice was not disclosed.

Convention on the Future of Europe

William Cash: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) of 14 May 2003, Official Report, column 306, what the basis is of his statement that the European Convention is necessary to make accession work.

Tony Blair: The Convention on the Future of Europe is looking at how an enlarged EU can continue to function effectively and transparently. The Laeken Declaration, which mandated the Convention, tasks it to see
	"how we can improve the efficiency of decision-making and the workings of the institutions in a Union of some thirty Member States" as well as simplify the Treaties and make the EU more accessible to its citizens. Reform of the EU's institutions and processes is necessary for an enlarged EU of 28 to work efficiently.

Iraq (Cultural Heritage)

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his reply to the letter from ICOMOS of 15 April.

Tony Blair: I have asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who also received a copy of the letter about cultural heritage in Iraq to reply on my behalf. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library in due course.
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working in close liaison with the British Museum, the Ministry of Defence, the FCO and UNESCO to assess how they might best be able to help secure and preserve these valuable sites for the benefit of future generations.

Laeken Declaration

William Cash: To ask the Prime Minister what authority was given in the Laeken declaration to draft a constitutional treaty for Europe.

Tony Blair: The European Council at Laeken concluded that
	"in order to ensure that preparation for the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference is as broadly-based and transparent as possible, the European Council has decided to convene a Convention".
	It agreed the Laeken Declaration that mandated the Convention to consider a number of questions concerning the Future of Europe. One of these was what the features of a constitutional text for the EU might be. The authority for agreeing a Constitutional Treaty remains with the EU's Member States.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Bank Account Access

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 31 March 2003, Official Report, column 504W, on Bank Account Access, for what reasons the Pension Service Guide to Direct Payment does not include (a) the Bank of Ireland, (b) First Trust and (c) the Northern Bank in the list of banks which offer basic bank accounts with access to cash at the Post Office.

Malcolm Wicks: The Direct Payment information leaflet contains information on all of the banking options available to the customer.
	The Northern Ireland Social Security Agency produce separate leaflets for customers in Northern Ireland. The Bank of Ireland, First Trust and Northern Bank are listed in the Northern Ireland edition of the leaflet as these banks offer basic bank accounts with post office access to customers in Northern Ireland.

New Deal

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his Answer of 19th December, refs 85985 and 87003, if he will list Government departments and agencies that did not employ New Deal participants during the period covered by his answer.

Nick Brown: The following agencies reported no New Deal starts between 5 January 1998 and 1 July 2002.
	Royal Parks Agency
	Central Science Laboratory
	Pesticides Safety Directorate
	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
	Veterinary Medicines Directorate 1
	Disability and Carers Service
	Medical Devices Agency
	Medicines Control Agency
	NHS Estates
	NHS Pensions Agency
	Companies House
	Employment Tribunals Service
	National Weights and Measures Laboratory
	Office of Gas and Electricity Markets
	Office of Telecommunications
	Postal Services Commission
	Government Actuary's Department
	UK Debt Management Office
	Forensic Science Service
	Public Guardianship Office
	Public Record Office
	Fire Service College
	Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
	Food Standards Agency 1
	Meat Hygiene Service
	CPS Inspectorate
	Northern Ireland Court Service
	Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
	National Savings
	1 These agencies have had New Deal starts since 1 July 2002.
	Information is not collected separately on the agencies of the Ministry of Defence, Inland Revenue and the Scottish Executive and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Although this is the current situation I have written to the Cabinet Office to ask that they expand their current monitoring process to collect this information in the future.
	Source
	Cabinet Office

Adult Education

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department and its predecessors have spent on education and training in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Data on expenditure on education and training spent by this Department and its predecessors are available only for the financial years shown in the following table. The figures for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 have been collated from data sources in the former Employment Service and Department of Social Security.
	
		
			  Expenditure (£ million) Percentage of running costs 
		
		
			 1999–2000 81.145 3.19 
			 2000–01 90.034 3.68 
			 2001–02 97.319 3.78 
		
	
	The figures include trainee and trainer costs, management and administration overheads, and spend on external training provided through Departmental contracts. Costs for accommodation where Departmental estate has been used are not included. In addition to formal training, people are developed by a variety of other means.
	The Department is committed to the principles of Investors in People. It considers the effective investment in training and development essential to equipping its people with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the Government's goals and deliver modern services.

Benefit Statistics

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many claimants there were of (a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) incapacity benefit and (c) housing benefit in (i) Scotland and (ii) Fife in (A) May 1997 and (B) the last month for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many lone parents there were on income support in (a) Scotland and (b) Fife in (i) May 1997 and (ii) the last month for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is in the tables. Figures are not seasonally adjusted so figures for May 2002 have also been included to allow a year-on-year comparison with May 1997.
	
		Unemployment claimant count in Scotland and Fife local authority
		
			  Scotland Fife 
		
		
			 May 1997 158,807 11,431 
			 May 2002 103,712 8,953 
			 April 2003 102,664 8,540 
		
	
	Source:
	Count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems.
	
		Housing benefit claimants in Scotland and Fife local authority
		
			  Scotland Fife 
		
		
			 May 1997 533,000 31,810 
			 May 2002 450,000 27,700 
			 November 2002 446,000 27,330 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The data refer to households claiming Housing Benefit which may be a single person, a couple or a family. More than one benefit household can live in one property, for example two or more adults in a flat or house share arrangement.
	2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand and local authority figures to the nearest 10.
	3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
	4. Housing Benefit figures exclude any Extended Payment cases.
	Source:Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System.
	Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in May 1997, May 2002 and November 2002.
	
		Incapacity Benefit claimants in Scotland and Fife local authority
		
			  Scotland Fife 
		
		
			 May 1997 300,000 16,900 
			 May 2002 289,000 16,900 
			 November 2002 288,800 17,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample, therefore subject to sampling variation.
	3. Figures include people receiving National Insurance Credits only
	Source:
	Figures are based on 5 per cent. samples of the-benefit computer system and will exclude a small number of clerically held cases.
	
		Lone parents in receipt of Income Support(1)
		
			  Scotland Fife local authority 
		
		
			 May 1997 95,200 5,900 
			 May 2002 77,600 4,800 
			 November 2002 76,200 5,000 
		
	
	(1) Lone Parents are defined as single claimants with dependants not receiving the Disability or Pensioner Premium.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample, therefore subject to sampling variation.
	Source:
	Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiries.

Child Support

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what date he has set for (a) commencing and (b) completing the transfer of existing child support cases to the new scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: None. We have made clear that we shall only make a decision on this once we are sure that the new scheme is working well.

Child Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of non-resident parents who have had their driving licences removed by the courts since April 2001 as a result of the provisions introduced under the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Webb, dated 22 May 2003
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You ask if he will estimate the number of non-resident parents who have had their driving licences removed by the courts since April 2001 as a result of the provisions introduced under the Child Support Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.
	There have been four non-resident parents who have been disqualified from driving for failure to pay child support. The intention of the relevant legislation is however to use the existence of this power to encourage more parents to meet this responsibility without a court appearance. I believe that it is having this beneficial effect.

Council Tax Benefit

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of this year's council tax increases upon (a) council tax benefit expenditure and (b) the numbers of households subjected to council tax benefit restrictions.

Malcolm Wicks: Our estimated forecast for council tax benefit expenditure in 2003–04 is £3,387 million. This is £130 million more than if average council tax had increased by the same rate as in 2002–03.
	The amount of council tax benefit paid to households in properties in council tax bands F, G or H is restricted to the amount payable for council tax band E, regardless of the amount of council tax payable. An increase in council tax would not therefore have an impact on the number of existing benefit recipients subject to restrictions. The impact of council tax increases on the number of households that might make a new claim for council tax benefit, who would subsequently be subject to restrictions, is estimated to be negligible.
	Source:DWP Information and Analysis Directorate. Expenditure forecasts are consistent with those produced for Budget 2003.

Child Support Agency

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted under the criminal offence of non- co-operation with the CSA; and what the average sentence was from that conviction.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will reply to the hon. Member.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the expenditure of his Department on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002.

Nick Brown: The Department's total expenditure on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002 was approximately £173,000. Subscriptions may also be taken at local level and information about these is not collected centrally.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to reduce his Department's underspend in 2003–04 from that of 2002–03.

Maria Eagle: No underspend is currently planned for 2003–04.
	The estimated resource underspend reported in Table 2.4 of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses, published on 6 May 2003, is £201 million and is 2.7 per cent. of the final provision. This principally reflects lower than planned activity on Labour Market Programmes.
	The reported Capital underspend of £53 million principally reflects slippage on the departmental change programme.
	Current spending plans are set out in Table 1 of the Departmental Report.
	The Department is utilising all 2002–03 underspends to support spending plans over the SR2002 period.

E-Government Projects

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list by project the consultancies his Department and its non-departmental public bodies have used on E-Government projects since 1 January 2001.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions has carried out a number of projects to progress its E-Government targets since January 2001. The majority of these projects have been undertaken within the main supplier relationship frameworks the Department has put in place. These include Affinity (lead supplier EDS).
	Other consultancies used are as follows:
	
		
			 Project Consultancy Activity 
		
		
			 E-Government strategy BMRB Quantitative market research 
			  AIA Consultancy Qualitative market research 
			  Gov Connect (subcontracted by EDS) Strategic consultancy 
			 Interactive E-Services Ezgov (subcontracted by EDS) Development of electronic forms 
			  Accenture Project management 
			  Detica Security authentication solutions 
			  Qinetiq Security and testing 
			  Sema Project management 
			
			 Digital television (the Pension Service) DNA Design and development 
			  Mori Evaluation 
			
			 Worktrain Xansa Future strategy consulting 
			  Brahm Design 
			  Oakleigh Consulting Tendering strategy and project management 
			  Commissum Consulting Security review 
			  University of Warwick Institute for Employment Research/Adset Classification 
			
			 Internet job bank KPMG Project audit 
			  Cap Gemini Ernst and Young Strategic review of internet job bank and worktrain 
			
			 Modernising appeals PA Consulting General support 
			  BT Syntegra Development

Enhanced Pension Take-up

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what procedure the Pensions Agency has in place to alert husbands and wives to the enhanced pension for wives when a husband reaches 65; and what checking they do to ensure that the enhanced pension is received.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, Chief Executive of the Pension Service. She will write to the hon. member.
	Letter from Charlie MacKinnon to Mrs. Lait, dated 22 May 2003
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked Alexis Cleveland to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what procedure the Pensions Agency has in place to alert husbands and wives to the enhanced pension for wives when a husband reaches 65; and what checking they do to ensure that the enhanced pension is received. Due to annual leave I am replying on her behalf.
	A claim package is sent out approximately four months prior to a customer approaching State Pension age (age 65 for a man, age 60 for a woman). This package includes an invitation to claim (form BR833) and a letter of expected entitlement (form BR33M/W). This package is issued to all customers based on whether they have entitlement based on their own National Insurance contributions.
	Form BR833 informs a married man that if his wife is 60 or over a claim form can be sent to him for her to complete to claim State Pension based on his contributions. Also on form BR33M issued to a man it alerts him that his wife can claim State Pension on his National Insurance contributions. It asks him to advise her to claim if she has a reduced rate State Pension of her own or none at all.
	There is no facility to invite claims from married women based on the National Insurance contributions of their husbands.
	There is no checking system because customers reaching State Pension age do not have to claim but can defer receipt of their State Pension for up to 5 years to receive increments added to their basic entitlement.
	I hope that this is helpful.

Fraud

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the estimated level of fraud is for each benefit his Department pays.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 31 March 2003, Official Report, column 591W.

Honours

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many officials in his Department have received honours; and how many honours are held by his officials, broken down by category of honour.

Maria Eagle: The Department does not hold information on the number of awards held by individuals, awards that are not related to official duties and awards already held by staff before joining the Department.
	The Department for Work and Pensions was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security (DSS) and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment.
	The following table shows the number of state honours awarded to staff from the honours lists published since the new Department was formed at each new year (NY) and the Queen's birthday (BD) round. Three members of staff who were awarded the MBE have since left the Department.
	
		
			  List 
			 Award NY02 BD02 NY03 
		
		
			 CB 1 1 1 
			 CBE 0 1 1 
			 OBE 1 2 2 
			 MBE 7 9 8 
			 Total 9 13 12

Industrial Injuries

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to receive the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council review of the vibration white finger diagnosis criteria used by medical advisers; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: The report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on its review of Prescribed Disease A11, commonly known as vibration white finger, is expected at the end of this year.

Industrial Injuries

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will issue new instructions about the use of the cold water provocation test in diagnosing VWF following the decision of Mr. Justice Pritchard of 2 May 2003; and whether those claimants given a negative decision on the basis of the test result will be invited to make a fresh application for an award.

Nick Brown: Modified guidance on the use of the cold water provocation test contained in the Notes on the Diagnosis of Prescribed Diseases, was published on 21 May 2003, on the Corporate Medical Group's webpage of the Department's website. In addition, the office of the Department's Chief Medical Adviser has issued revised guidance to Schlumberger Sema Medical Services in connection with claims for industrial injuries benefits.
	We have no plans to invite fresh applications from anyone who was given a negative decision on the basis of the test, but anyone who re-applies will be considered under the revised guidance.

Industrial Injuries

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to request the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council to review the examination criteria used by medical advisers to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is covered by Prescribed Disease D12, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, for the purposes of the industrial injuries scheme. We have no plans to ask the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council to review the examination criteria for Prescribed Disease D12.

Jobcentre Plus

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what budgetary provision has been made for the annual salary and benefit package of the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus for each of the first three years of his contract.

Nick Brown: holding answer 19 May 2003
	The Chief Executive's pay will be in the Permanent Secretaries' Pay Band A, which is currently £118,750 to £199,388. It will be reviewed annually and, as with all Permanent Secretaries, the Chief Executive's future pay increases will be determined by an independent remuneration committee, chaired by the Chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body. Normal benefits associated with the Senior Civil Service will be provided. Budgetary provision on this basis has been made within the Jobcentre Plus budget.
	All Jobcentre Plus's directors' salaries and benefits for the preceding year are published in the Jobcentre Plus annual report and accounts.

Jobcentre Plus

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish (a) the service standards set for Jobseeker Direct and (b) the performance figures for the last four quarters.

Nick Brown: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive, Clare Dodgson. I have asked her to reply to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Clare Dodgson to Mr. Burstow, dated May 2002
	As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the service standards for Jobseeker Direct and performance figures for the last four quarters. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of the Agency.
	The service standards set for Jobseeker Direct and the available performance figures for the last four quarters are in the table.
	
		Quarterly Performance -- Percentage
		
			 Performance standard April to  June 2002 July to September 2002 October to December 2002 January to March 2003 
		
		
			 95 per cent. of calls answered by an agent(2) 98 98 98 98 
			 All calls to receive standard greeting(3) 95.2 98.6 97.0 98.5 
			 Eight job entries per service point per week(4) 8.4 9.2 9.8 9.2 
		
	
	Sources:
	(2) Electronic Data Systems Statistics.
	(3) Jobseeker Direct Mystery Shopper results for 02/03.
	(4) Jobseeker Direct call data and job entry data on business information systems. (For 2003–04, this standard has been increased to 11 job entries per service point per week).
	I hope this is helpful.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many of his staff have taken sick leave due to mental health problems in the last year;
	(2)  how many sick days were lost over the last year by his Department through staff mental health problems.

Malcolm Wicks: Between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003 14,085 people have taken sick leave due to Mental and Behavioural Disorders resulting in 475,000 working days being lost.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the number of people eligible for the minimum income guarantee who do not claim; and if he will provide a breakdown of such people by (a) gender, (b) age and (c) region.

Maria Eagle: National figures, broken down by gender, for the number of people eligible for but not claiming the MIG, are included in the publication "Income Related Benefits: Estimates of Take-Up in 2000–2001, copies of which are available in the library of both houses. Estimates of the number of pensioners eligible for, but not claiming the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) are not available below national level or broken down by age.

Young People

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people have entered the employer option under the New Deal for Young People in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many people have entered the full-time education and training option under the New Deal for Young People in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: The information requested is in the table:
	
		New Deal for Young People
		
			  New Deal Option 
			  Full-time education and training option Employment option 
		
		
			 January to December 1998 28,800 13,800 
			 January to December 1999 36,200 15,700 
			 January to December 2000 25,600 12,300 
			 January to December 2001 18,500 9,200 
			 January to December 2002 18,800 8,400 
		
	
	Source:
	New Deal Evaluation Database.

Pension Books

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Bassetlaw and (b) Nottinghamshire are not yet in receipt of the new pensions books.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, Chief Executive of The Pension Service, to reply. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Charlie Mackinnon to John Mann, dated 22 May 2003
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked Alexis Cleveland to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people in (a) Bassetlaw and (b) Nottinghamshire are not yet in receipt of the new pension books. Due to annual leave I am replying on her behalf.
	I am pleased to tell you that work on correcting a problem with replacement order books is well under way.
	The number affected within Bassetlaw are included in the details for Nottinghamshire shown below. I am afraid it is not possible for us to separate the numbers for Bassetlaw itself.
	Approximately 210 books were sent to Post offices in Nottinghamshire, 66 in Lincoln and 77 in Mansfield that would have been rejected by the Post Office's issuing system if we had not intervened. We have liaised with the Post office and agreed that affected books will be recalled and replacements, which will not suffer rejection, issued.
	The replacement is largely complete. As at 19 May, 207 of the 210 Nottinghamshire cases have been dealt with. The remaining cases will be dealt with as a matter of priority. The cases falling within the Lincoln and Mansfield areas have all been dealt with.
	Unfortunately, due to the time required to produce replacements, some new order books will not be with post offices for customer collection until mid week.
	Customers affected by this will receive a telephone call to explain the reason for the delay and discuss their situation before the date originally set for collection of their replacement order book.
	Our customers will receive payments due to them as soon as possible and will be offered alternative methods of payment to ensure that they do not suffer hardship because of this technical difficulty.
	I hope that this is helpful.

Pension Credit

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much expenditure on the pension credit is expected to be paid to people who are aged (a) 60 to 64, (b) 65 to 69, (c) 70 to 74, (d) 75 to 79 and (e) 80 and over.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is in the table.
	
		Table 1: Estimated pension credit expenditure by age in 2004–05, in cash terms -- £ millions
		
			 Age of head of household Estimated expenditure  
		
		
			 60–64 1,500 
			 65–69 900 
			 70–74 900 
			 75–79 900 
			 80+ 1,800 
			 Total 6,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Expenditure is estimated for 2004–05, the first full financial year of pension credit after its introduction.
	2. he forecast of expenditure by age is calculated separately for:
	(a) Underlying MIG expenditure. This is forecast on the basis of information from the Department's administrative data, and
	(b) Additional expenditure resulting from the introduction of pension credit. This is forecast based on the distribution of money among those eligible to pension credit, estimated in the Department's Policy Simulation Model. Figures should be treated as an approximation and may vary according to actual take-up.
	3. Figures are rounded to the nearest £100 million.
	4. Figures are consistent with the Budget 2003 forecasts available on the DWP internet site and contained in the Departmental Report 2003, Cm 5921.

Pension Credit

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pension credit claimants are expected to be aged (a) 60 to 64, (b) 65 to 69, (c) 70 to 74, (d) 75 to 79 and (e) 80 and over; and what proportion this is of people in each age group.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not available. Information as is available is in the table.
	
		Number and proportion of potential Pension Credit claimants estimated for 2003–04
		
			 Age bands Number of households entitled to pension credit (million) Proportion for each age group (percentage) 
		
		
			 60–64 0.45 25 
			 65–69 0.60 34 
			 70–74 0.70 42 
			 75–79 0.75 51 
			 80+ 1.10 64 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The estimates in Table 1 are based on potential claimants eligible to Pension Credit rather than actual claimants.
	2. Column 3 relates to the proportion of households eligible to Pension Credit out of the total number of pensioner households for that age group.
	3. The estimates were calculated for all pensioners using the department's Policy Simulation Model based on the Family Resource Survey data for 2000–01 projected forward to 2003–04. This shows around 3.6 million households entitled to pension credit.
	4. The Policy Simulation Model excludes all pensioners in nursing or residential care homes. This is because the Family Resource Survey data does not contain information on these cases. We estimate that just over 200,000 pensioners in care homes will be entitled to Pension Credit. This means that total pension credit entitlement for 2003–04 is estimated to be about 3.8 million households.
	5. The figures in the table were rounded to the nearest 50,000 cases. The figures may not add up due to rounding.
	The Department's PSA target states that 3 million households will be in receipt of Pension Credit by 2006.

Pension Credit

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what plans he has to introduce a free phone helpline for pensioners when the pension credit is introduced;
	(2)  what action he is taking to ensure that the helpline for the pension credit will be adequately staffed.

Maria Eagle: The free pension credit application line became operational on 7 April 2003. The main purpose of the application line is to take applications for pension credit, but it will also deal with inquiries. Staffing levels for the application line have been based on a careful assessment of the likely numbers of applications for pension credit. A phased and measured approach to taking on applications will help to ensure that staffing levels are appropriate for the level of applications at any time.

Pension Funds

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 10 March 2003, Official Report, column 95W, on top-up fees, whether his Department plans to commission independent research showing the likely impact of top-up fees on the ability of those under 40 years of age to make reasonable contributions to their pension funds; and when he will complete his annual review of future research projects.

Maria Eagle: Development of the annual review of research continues so that the Department can take account of responses to the Green Paper "Simplicity, Security and Choice: working and saving for retirement", Cm 5677. The Department's research programme will be published in the Summer.

Pensions

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if his Department will make clear in future public information campaigns that stakeholder pensions are not backed by the Government.

Maria Eagle: In its publicity, the Department is already careful to ensure that no claims are made about the investment performance of stakeholder pensions, or that the Government back their performance. The nature of the advice regime around the sale of stakeholder pensions is clearly important and the Financial Services Authority is currently considering whether any changes are appropriate to that regime.

Post Office Card Account

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the procedure to be followed by someone who wishes to open a Post Office card account.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) on 6 May 2003, Official Report, column 545W.

Post Office Card Account

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of enquiries from members of the public on automated transfer of benefits to bank accounts have enquired about the use of the post office card account.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the format requested. However, as at 9 May 2003, 257,405 customers have requested a post office card account.

Post Office Card Account

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which banks and building societies operate accounts into which direct payments of pensions and benefits may be made, and which can be accessed at Post Office branches.

Malcolm Wicks: There are a range of bank and building society accounts into which direct payment of pensions and benefits can be made.
	The institutions which agreed to make their basic bank accounts accessible at Post Offices, from April 2003 are: Abbey National; Alliance and Leicester; Bank of Ireland; Bank of Scotland; Barclays; Clydesdale bank; The Co-operative bank; First Trust bank; Halifax; HSBC; Lloyds TSB; Nationwide Building Society; NatWest; Northern bank; The Royal Bank of Scotland; Ulster bank and Yorkshire bank.
	In addition the Post Office provides banking services on behalf of: Alliance and Leicester; Barclays; The Co-operative bank; First Direct (Scotland only); Lloyds TSB and the Internet banks, Cahoot and Smile. The paper-based service enables customers of these banks to cash cheques at post offices free of charge. Also from 1 April 2003, the Alliance and Leicester have provided electronic access to their bank accounts at post offices and 10 million Barclays Bank current account holders can now withdraw cash from their accounts across any Post Office counter in the country, using the PIN pads newly installed there. Post Office Ltd. is seeking to extend such arrangements with other banks.

Savings

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the percentage of the population who have (a) no savings, (b) savings below £1,000 and (c) savings below £5,000.

Malcolm Wicks: Information on individual accounts and savings outside of the range £1,500 to £20,000 is not available.
	The Family Resources Survey can provide estimates for Great Britain of savings held within benefit units. This information is presented in the table.
	
		Percentage of benefit units
		
			 Limit (£) Benefit units with savings below certain limits (percentages) 
		
		
			 No savings 34. 
			 Below 1,500 57 
			 Below 5,000 71 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). 2001–02 is the latest year for which data is available.
	2. Questions on assets are a sensitive part of the FRS questionnaire and have relatively low level of response. Evidence suggests some under reporting of capital by respondents.
	3. A benefit unit is a single adult or couple living as married and any dependent children.
	Source:
	2001–02 Family Resources Survey, Great Britain.

Social Fund

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list those items for which a social fund loan is available.

Malcolm Wicks: The discretionary Social Fund, which includes interest free budgeting loans and crisis loans, plays an important role in our agenda for tackling poverty and social exclusion. It provides support to millions of people on low incomes who need help with unexpected and varied needs.
	Budgeting Loans are available to people who have been receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 26 weeks, to help with intermittent expenses which are difficult to budget for. Crisis Loans are available to anyone in an emergency or as a result of a disaster, whether in receipt of benefit or not, when they have no other means of preventing serious damage or risk to their, or a member of their family's, health or safety.
	The items for which Budgeting Loans can be awarded are not specified in detail; help is provided for a broad range of expenses for which an applicant may have difficulty in budgeting for from their benefit. Because a Crisis Loan is intended to cover immediate short-term needs, the help needed may be for a specific item or service or to meet immediate living expenses for a short period, usually up to 14 days.
	Part 4 of the Discretionary Social Fund Guide (para 6300 et seq.), lists the categories of need for which a Budgeting Loan can be awarded. A copy is available in the Library. Part 3 of the Guide (para 4700 et seq.) provides examples of the circumstances in which a Crisis Loan can be awarded.

Tax Credits

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received about the Social Security (Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations.

Malcolm Wicks: At various stages throughout the drafting of The Social Security (Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2003, consultation took place with local authorities, representatives of interested external organisations and with the Social Security Advisory Committee. Early drafts were also made available publicly in May 2002.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Prisoners (Early Release)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners have been released from prisons in Great Britain under the terms of the early release of prisoners scheme drawn up under the Belfast Agreement.

Jane Kennedy: To qualify for early release under the legislation, the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, a person must be serving his sentence in Northern Ireland. Therefore, no prisoners have been released from prisons in Great Britain under the terms of the early release scheme. Nevertheless, 21 of the 447 prisoners granted early release committed their offences in Great Britain but had transferred to prison in Northern Ireland prior to making application.

Assaults (Hospital Staff)

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many verbal and physical assaults took place on (a) nurses and (b) other staff working in areas of mental health and learning disabilities in Northern Ireland in (i) 2000, (ii) 2001 and (iii) 2002.
	(2)  how many verbal and physical assaults took place on (a) nurses and (b) other staff working in general hospitals in Northern Ireland in (i) 2000, (ii) 2001 and (iii) 2002.

Des Browne: The information is not available in the format requested. However the number of recorded assaults (both physical and verbal) on Health and Personal Social Services Staff in all disciplines, during those financial years, is detailed in the table:
	
		
			 Year Number 
		
		
			 1999–2000 1,677 
			 2000–01 1,956 
			 2001–02 2,438

Court Proceedings (Police Presence)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is in relation to police officers being present in court while criminal proceedings are taking place.

Jane Kennedy: Currently, police attend magistrates' courts to look after prisoners and to produce them to the court. Where there is reason to believe that a breach of the peace is likely to take place, police may also perform duty in the courtroom. Administrative functions, such as acting as ushers, or jury keepers are no longer carried out by the police.

Departmental Catering Services

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of (a) the in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by the Department in 2002.

Paul Murphy: Within the Northern Ireland Office expenditure on in-house canteen and other catering services cannot be disaggregated. In the financial year 2001–02, the total for the Department, including its Agencies but excluding NDPBs, was £533,718.
	Within the Northern Ireland administration in-house canteen facilities are not provided. The total cost of providing contracted out catering services in the financial year 2001–02 was £680,000.

Departmental Events

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the (a) conferences, (b) seminars, (c) workshops, (d) exhibitions and (e) press conferences which have been sponsored by his Department and which took place on non-Departmental premises in the last 12 months, broken down by title, purpose, date and cost.

Paul Murphy: This information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Downpatrick Courthouse

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisation was responsible for security at Downpatrick courthouse on the day in the week beginning 5 May.

Jane Kennedy: The responsibility for security at Downpatrick magistrates court was shared between the PSNI, the Prison Service and the NI Court Service through the civilian security provided by Maybin Security Services. On 5 May a number of remand prisoners were handed into police custody by Prison Office staff. The prisoners included the two persons who subsequently escaped from custody.

General Practitioners (Ards Peninsula)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to enhance the out of hours general practice service for those living along the Ards Peninsula.

Des Browne: I am satisfied that the current out of hours arrangements for the Ards Peninsula are working satisfactorily and that service users living there receive the same level of service as those living elsewhere in the North Down area.

International Fund for Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many grants were made by the International Fund for Ireland for each Parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Paul Murphy: The Board of the International Fund publishes an Annual Report of its activities, including a list of all projects that receive financial support. Copies of the Reports are held in the House of Commons Library.

Ministerial Salaries

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what amount the salaries of members of the Northern Ireland Executive have been reduced since its suspension.

Paul Murphy: As Ministers do not hold office during suspension, the salaries of members of the Northern Ireland Executive were reduced by the following amount since suspension:
	
		£
		
			  Salaries reduced by 
		
		
			 First Minister and Deputy First Minister 69,862 
			 Other Ministers 36,241 
		
	
	This amount includes retrospective pay rises.
	In addition the Assembly member element of the Ministers' salaries was reduced by £9,504 with effect from 15 November 2002, abated as required by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 in respect of those Members who are MPs and MEPs.

Life Sentences

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to bring forward legislation on life sentences for murder in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: In October 2001, the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 ("the Order") introduced new provisions for the sentencing, review and release of life prisoners in Northern Ireland. The arrangements introduced by the Order arose from a widely supported recommendation of the Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland.
	Proposals are currently before Parliament by way of the Criminal Justice Bill for the amendment of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 to provide a statutory right for review by the Life Sentence Review Commissioners of NI life prisoners simultaneously detained under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many non-departmental public bodies there were in Northern Ireland in April 1998; and how many there are now.

Paul Murphy: The information sought in the question is available in the "Public Bodies" publication produced annually by the Cabinet Office and made available through the Stationery Office and on the Cabinet Office website at http: //www. cabinet-office. gov.uk/agencies-publicbodies/. This publication provides information on the size, spend and membership of public bodies in the UK and includes non-departmental public bodies attached to the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments. The current edition of the publication, "Public Bodies 2002" is available in the House of Commons Library. An updated version for 2003 is currently being prepared and should be published by the Cabinet Office before the end of the year.

Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma andTransformation

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much public money the Northern Ireland Office has granted to the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation in Omagh; and for what purpose.

Paul Murphy: The Northern Ireland Office has allocated £1.5 million over three years for the development of the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation.
	Its aims and objectives are summarised as follows:
	To develop the centre in Omagh and to provide other related services or facilities in Northern Ireland and elsewhere for the purposes of:
	i. assessing, treating and caring for those who suffer psychological or psychiatric trauma related disorders, illness or disability as a consequence of traumatic or distressing experiences arising out of the Troubles in Northern Ireland;
	ii. undertaking research and innovation, for learning, and for the education and training of those involved in the assessment, treatment and care for those persons who have suffered, are suffering or will suffer psychological or psychiatric trauma related disorders, illness or disability in Northern Ireland and elsewhere, as a result of the Troubles and other traumatic or distressing experience;
	iii. applying and disseminating the knowledge and expertise of the Centre and other related services or facilities for the assistance and benefit of others involved in the assessment, treatment or care of other persons or communities affected by strife or disaster; and
	iv. working in collaboration with others through therapeutic and service networks to support those affected by traumatic events, including those affected by the Troubles in Northern Ireland and elsewhere.

Parades

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of policing Loyalist band parades in Lurgan on 25 April and on 3 May; and how many personnel from (a) the PSNI and (b) the Royal Irish Rangers were involved in policing each event.

Jane Kennedy: 25 April 2003: Star of the North Band Parade 88 Police Officers were on duty at the above band parade at a notional cost of £12,500. 3 May 2003: Craigavon Protestant Boys Band Parade 101 Police Officers were on duty at the above band parade at a notional cost of £14,000.
	The military support to the police at both of these events was around 100 personnel and provided by the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment.

Police Escorts

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is in relation to police escorts for prisoners being transported to and from courts in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: The Prison Service escort prisoners from prison to court. The Police Service can assist if requested and an armed presence is required. Once in court, police officers look after prisoners in the court cells and escort them into the courtroom and back to the cells, before being transferred back to prison by the Prison Service. Where prisoners appear in court for the first time and are committed to custody (for example, on remand or if sentenced), police officers will escort them to prison.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the PSNI are (a) seconded and (b) serving with police services overseas.

Jane Kennedy: There are currently 29 PSNI officers seconded overseas. The following table shows the reason and location of these officers.
	
		
			 Number of Officers Reason and Place of Secondment 
		
		
			 25 United Nations Mission in Kosovo 
			 3 European Union Policing Mission in Bosnia 
			 1 United Nations Transitional Aid to East Timor

Press Office (Costs)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total costs of the press office of the Northern Ireland Office were in 2002–03, broken down by (a) staff costs, (b) administration and (c) other.

Paul Murphy: The following costs are for the core Department's Press Office. (Outside the core it includes only Prison Service NI.)
	
		Costs for core Department's Press Office2002–03 -- £
		
			  Cost 
		
		
			 (a) Staff costs 1,292,309 
			 (b) Administration 585,186 
			 (c) Other costs 398,588 
			 Total 2,276,083

Secure Units

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to increase the number of places in secure units for children and young people in Northern Ireland.

Des Browne: It is planned to increase the number of secure residential care places for children from 15 to 16 by 2005. Based on a recent inspection by the Social Services Inspectorate no substantial increase is proposed as it is anticipated that the Department's plans for an expansion in the general residential childcare sector will reduce the pressure on the need for secure care places.

Secure Units

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many places there are in secure units for children and young people; how much is being expended on such provision in 2003–04; and what recent assessment he has made of need.

Des Browne: There are currently 15 secure care places provided for children in the care system at Shamrock and Linden House, Lakewood, Bangor. The cost of providing these places in 2003–04 will be approximately £1.8 million.
	In 2002 the Social Services Inspectorate carried out an assessment, which resulted in a business case being made to replace the existing accommodation and to expand the secure care places from 15 to 16.

Sports Funding

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding is being given to hockey players in Northern Ireland who will be competing as part of a British team at the Olympics.

Angela Smith: At present no hockey players in Northern Ireland are in receipt of funding to compete as part of a British team at the Olympics.

Victim Support

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is his policy to make funding for victims' support groups available for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: Since 1998 this Government has allocated more than £20 million to fund victims' initiatives. More than £6 million—around 30 per cent.—of this has gone to pay the core running costs of victims' groups. This is in recognition of the valuable work that victims' groups do and I continue to press the case for more money for victims' initiatives. In allocating any further such funding that may become available I will of course have regard to this work. Equally, I must take into account the fact that many victims do not align themselves with victims' groups.

Warm Homes Scheme

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the take up has been of the Warm Homes scheme by (a) numbers of completed jobs and (b) moneys spent since its inception, in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland.

Des Browne: This information is not available in precisely the format requested. Work under the Warm Homes Scheme is categorised by postal code areas. However, the following table identifies the number of jobs, both energy efficiency and heating measures that have been completed in each area in years 1 and 2 of the Scheme.
	
		
			 Constituency(5) Completed jobs Combined total £ 
		
		
			 East Antrim (BT36, 38, 39, 40) 443 96,144.89 
			 East Belfast (BT4, 5, 6) 853 218,991.63 
			 East Londonderry (BT49, 51 52, 55, 56) 499 139,710.68 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone (BT68, 69, 70, 74, 75, 76, 77, 92, 93, 94 and part BT78) 1,329 343,959.17 
			 Foyle (BT47, 48) 640 168,032.45 
			 Lagan Valley (BT25, 26, 27, 28) 759 194,747.73 
			 Mid Ulster (BT45, 46, 71, 80) 668 212,481.02 
			 Newry and Armagh (BT34, 35, 60, 61) 994 337,126.52 
			 North Antrim (BT42, 43, 44, 53, 54, 57) 769 224,492.42 
			 North Belfast (BT13, 14, 15, 37) 762 176,766.54 
			 North Down (BT18, 19, 20, 21) 481 108,918.23 
			 South Antrim (BT29, 41) 732 176,093.66 
			 South Belfast (BT2, 7, 8, 9, 10) 358 91,729.86 
			 South Down (BT30, 31, 33) 983 242,059.60 
			 Strangford (BT16, 22, 23, 24) 326 93,973.92 
			 Upper Bann (BT32, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67) 717 148,834.24 
			 West Belfast (BT11, 12, 17) 721 314,171.16 
			 West Tyrone (BT79, 81, 82 and part BT78) 656 205,038.90 
			
			 TOTAL 12,690 3,493,272.62 
		
	
	(5) Comprising the post codes in brackets.

Weston Park

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress by His Honour Judge Peter Cory in the investigation of cases identified at Weston Park in July 2001.

Paul Murphy: Justice Peter Cory was appointed by the British and Irish Governments in May 2002 to carry out an investigation into six cases where collusion has been alleged. The judge is independent and his work programme is a matter for him.
	As Justice Cory made clear in his third progress report to the British and Irish Governments in April, he has already completed his work on the cases of Patrick Finucane, Robert Hamill and Billy Wright. These reports are being stored securely by the Canadian authorities until the conclusion of his investigation. The judge has indicated that he is on schedule to complete his report in the Autumn. The Government is very grateful to Justice Cory for taking on this important task and remains committed to co-operating fully with his investigation.

TRANSPORT

Action Plan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his Answer of 8 April, Official Report, column 157–58W, on the pay review, whether his action plan on the subject will be published.

David Jamieson: The action plans for my Department and its agencies will be placed in the Library of the House in due course after full consideration has been given to the issues identified. This will not apply for NDPBs as there was no formal commitment for them to review their pay systems.

Agency Workers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many agency workers have been employed by the Department in each of the last two years; and at what cost to public funds.

David Jamieson: The Department for Transport was created following machinery of government changes on 29 May 2002. From that date to 30 April 2003 the cost of employing agency workers has been £933,229. The information requested in relation to the number of agency workers employed by the Department is not readily available or easily obtained and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Air Travel

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what health impact assessment has been undertaken of the options contained in the consultation on the Future Development of Air Transport in the UK.

David Jamieson: The consultation documents and supporting papers set out the range of impacts, including health-related impacts—in particular, noise and local air quality—associated with the various airports options under review. Following the consultation, we will ensure that all relevant considerations, including health-related ones, are taken into account in our decision-making process, through use of an integrated policy appraisal.

Air Travel

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on EU proposals for legislation to oblige air carriers to protect passengers in the event of bankruptcy; and what discussions he has had on voluntary initiatives by carriers to protect passengers in the event of airline financial collapse.

David Jamieson: The European Commission has not published a proposal for legislation to oblige air carriers to protect passengers in the event of bankruptcy and I have had no discussions with airlines on a voluntary financial protection scheme.

Central Railway

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 337W, on Central Railway, if he will invite the Strategic Rail Authority to comment on further information submitted by Central Railway.

David Jamieson: The SRA are fully involved in considering the proposals from Central Railway.

Civil Contingencies

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional expenditure over and above that identified prior to 1 April 2002 (a) was spent in 2002–03 and (b) will be spent in 2003–04 on national and regional resilience work for essential services; whether arrangements exist to release expenditure during the current financial year for resilience projects under consideration for essential services; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 16 May 2003
	My Department's contribution to the essential services element of the Government's resilience capabilities programme has been undertaken within our existing budget. To support our overall effort on improving resilience we have committed £1.8 million capital this year and £0.6 million additional annual running costs.
	The capabilities that we are working to deliver have been developed to allow the Government to deal with the fullest range of scenarios. Should a specific additional urgent operational need arise, at any point of the spending cycle, action would be taken to meet it. The public expenditure framework the Government have put in place provides the flexibility to deal with unexpected pressures.

Congestion Charging

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many local authorities have submitted plans for the introduction of local congestion charging regimes in each of the Government office regions; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Apart from Durham County Council, whose scheme order was approved on 24 September 2002, no other local authority in England has submitted either a road user charging or a workplace parking levy scheme order for confirmation by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

E-Government Projects

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by project the consultancies his Department and its non-departmental public bodies have used on e-government projects since 1 January 2001.

David Jamieson: holding answer 16 May 2003
	The consultancies used by my Department on e-government projects since 1 January 2001 are in the following table.
	
		
			 Name of ESD Externalconsultancysince 2001 Y/N Name of consultancy firm 
		
		
			 Applications for clean up grants N — 
			 Aviation: on-line consultation and white papers N — 
			 Aviation: on-line permits to foreign airlines N — 
			 Booking of disability driving assessments N — 
			 Bus services operators' grant N — 
			 Collecting local transport plans data N — 
			 Computer-based theory tests for drivers Y Prometric 
			 Computer-based theory tests for trainers Y Prometric 
			 Cycling Advisory Scheme Y AEA Technology 
			 Drivers hours regulations N — 
			 Drivers' services Y IBM Fujitsu; Schlumberger/Sema; Capita; Prometric; Logica; Insight Consulting 
			 Driving tests publications and information N — 
			 Driving tests theory practice N — 
			 DVO internal systems Y IBM 
			 Electronic linking between mobility centres N — 
			 Electronic service delivery of abnormal loads Y Anite.Net 3 October 2001 to 30 September 2002; PA Consulting 2 January 2003 to date 
			 Integrated register of driving instructors Y Calibrand Ltd. 
			 Integrated transport information N — 
			 Internal sharing of information within DVO Y IBM Fujitsu; Schlumberger/Sema; Capita; Prometric 
			 International coach service authorizations N — 
			 International road haulage permits N — 
			 Licensing of trucks, buses and coach operators Y Hedra 
			 Management of utility company works Y Amtec 
			 Mobility advice and vehicle information service N — 
			 On-line roads consultations N — 
			 Port traffic statistics Y MaTSU, part of AEA Technology plc 
			 Powershift programme N — 
			 Practical test bookings for driving trainers Y Capita 
			 Traffic control centre Y Carlbro IBI; Denton Wilde Sapte; Tony Ham; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Halcrow Group Ltd. 
			 Transport direct portal Y Schlumberger/Sema; Hedra; Centaur; Anite; TRL; AEAT; Capgemini 
			 Transport security data N — 
			 Transport security: vetting of staff N — 
			 Vehicle registration and amendment Y IBM Fujitsu; Schlumberger/Sema; Capita; Prometric 
			 New cars' fuel consumption and emissions data Y KMS Internet Solution Providers Ltd. 
			 New cars fuel consumption and emissions labels Y KMS Internet Solution Providers Ltd.

Efficiency Savings

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the target is for efficiency savings in 2003–04 expressed (a) in money terms and (b) as a percentage of the Department's expenditure limit.

David Jamieson: The Department has a PS A target to achieve annual 2.5 per cent efficiency improvements across the Department. The target takes, as a measure of efficiency improvements, savings in the Department's total net administration costs as published in the 2003 Departmental Report.

English Regions Cycling Development Team

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the report of the English Regions Cycling Development team will be published.

David Jamieson: The English Regions Cycling Development Team has been assessing highway authorities 1 planning and provision for cycling. They are due to report their findings to the National Cycling Strategy Board in June. The Board expects then to publish reports in July.

London Underground

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2003, Official Report, column 47W, on London Underground, if he will provide the whole year figures for 2002–03.

David Jamieson: This is an operational matter for London Underground who have provided the information set out in the following table.
	
		London Underground rolling stock, track and signal failures by line
		
			 Line 2002–03 rolling stock failures 2002–03 track and signals failures 
		
		
			 Bakerloo 1,156 298 
			 Central 2,419 609 
			 Circle/Hammersmith and City 2,045 431 
			 District 1,433 849 
			 East London 99 77 
			 Jubilee 1,281 443 
			 Metropolitan 1,296 667 
			 Northern 1,597 843 
			 Piccadilly 2,821 572 
			 Waterloo and City 86 38 
			 Victoria 1,140 487 
			 Total 15,373 5,314

London Underground

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he estimates passengers will experience improvements in (a) reliability and (b) comfort under the PPP contracts for the London Underground.

David Jamieson: Tube Lines have announced that, for the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, within the first 12 months of the contract they will be cutting delays by nearly 10 per cent., saving passengers some 430,000 hours. They have also improved the cleaning regime implementing deep cleans of trains and stations much more frequently than before. At the same time they are beginning the long-term work to upgrade the lines and increase capacity, including additional rolling stock for the Jubilee Line to increase train lengths from 6 to 7 cars, and awarding a contract for new signalling systems for the Jubilee and Northern Lines to allow a substantial increase in the service capability on these lines. These new signalling systems should be in place by 2009 and 2011 respectively.
	For the lines being maintained and modernised by Metronet, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) on 8 May 2003, Official Report, column 830W.

Motorway Tolls

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the agreement setting out the basis for the determination of toll levels on the BNRR/M6 Toll was (a) made and (b) approved.

David Jamieson: The Concession Agreement between the Government and Midland Expressway Limited for the M6 Toll (formerly the Birmingham Northern Relief Road) was signed on 28 February 1992.

SARS

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of passengers and crew of (a) airlines and (b) passenger ships against the SARS outbreak.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the Statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on 28 April 2003 Official Report, columns 38–41. My officials have worked closely with the Department of Health to ensure that appropriate information on recognising the symptoms of SARs and on how to seek appropriate medical advice is given to those travelling to the UK from infected areas. The situation is being monitored closely and further action will be taken if necessary on public health grounds.

Staff Numbers

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why he plans to increase the number of staff as measured in staff years in his Department by 190 in 2003–04 compared with 2002–03.

David Jamieson: holding answer 20 May 2003
	The increase in the number of staff is mainly due to the need for specialist external recruitment.

Staff Numbers

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why the number of staff measured in staff years in the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency increased in 2002–03 by 903 compared with 2001–02.

David Jamieson: holding answer 20 May 2003
	The difference of 903 staff years between 2001–02 and 2002–03 reflects a change in the way that staffing figures are recorded, to include casual staff and a number of changes in DVLA operations.
	The main operational changes that contributed to the actual increase were:
	(a) new policy initiatives such as the mandatory vehicle registration document scheme and to support London congestion charging;
	(b) to safeguard delivery of the core business such as improving the accuracy of the database and the new strategic partnership to support DVLA's substantial change programme for service delivery improvements; and
	(c) increased workload involving initiatives to improve customer service delivery such as the introduction of extended hours in the Agency's call centre and growth in business volumes (5.9 per cent. higher in 2002–03), offset by more efficient working practices and the increase in electronic business.

Staff Numbers

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why the number of staff measured in staff years in the Drug Standards Agency is planned to increase in 2003–04 by 547 compared with 2001–02.

David Jamieson: holding answer 20 May 2003
	Demand for driving tests has increased from some 1,481, 210 in 2001–02 to an estimated 1,635,500 in 2003–04. To meet this rising demand, and to reduce waiting times for driving tests, the Driving Standards Agency has recently recruited over 130 driving examiners and plans to recruit 330 more in the coming year. The increased levels of test demand also impact on the number of support staff, such as call centre agents, that are needed.
	In addition, DSA is boosting other activities in line with commitments in the Government's "Road Safety Strategy", such as delivering a national programme of "Arrive Alive" presentations to youngsters in schools and colleges. In 2003–04, some 6,000 presentations are planned, compared with some 2,700 in 2001–02.
	The increase in full-time equivalent staff for the Agency, shown in the Department's recently published Annual Report for 2003, reflects these higher levels of activity and changes in the way that staffing figures are recorded.

Stansted Airport

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a second or third new runway at Stansted Airport on (a) the local environment, (b) the quality of life of the residents and (c) economic development if there is a dependence on low-cost carriers.[R]

David Jamieson: We have conducted no detailed assessment of this kind other than what has already been published as part of the on-going consultation, 'The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East'.

Strategic Rail Authority

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to achieve greater transparency in relation to the SRA's use of funds.

David Jamieson: On 14 April 2003, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State issued a revised SRA Financial Framework, setting rules governing the financial aspects of the Strategic Rail Authority's activities and transactions. My right hon. Friend will also shortly issue an accounts direction, which will direct the Authority to ensure that its annual accounts 2002–03 give a true and fair view of the income and expenditure and cash flows for the year. Finally, the Authority is statutorily required to produce an annual report including a section on accounts, copies of which are placed in the Libraries of the House.

Strategic Rail Authority

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the SRA's assumptions and plans for rail traffic and capacity growth in the next five years.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority's plans and priorities are set out in its Strategic Plan, published at the end of January, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Sustainable Communities

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the change in the annual number of (a) journeys and (b) kilometres travelled that will result from housing development in the four growth areas within the Sustainable Communities Plan.

David Jamieson: We are currently considering, in connection with the ODPM, how far and to what time scale we should seek to develop the Thames Gateway and the other growth areas. Assessing the transport needs related to these developments is one of the main issues being considered.

Thames Gateway Bridge

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the funding of the proposed Thames Gateway river crossings.

David Jamieson: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a wide range of issues.

Thames Gateway Bridge

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made in developing plans for the Thames Gateway Bridge; and to what parliamentary procedures he expects the plans will be subject.

David Jamieson: The Thames Gateway Bridge project is the responsibility of the Mayor of London and Transport for London. They are developing the plans and the business case for the scheme. The Mayor has asked the Government to promote a hybrid bill for the project. We are considering that request.

Thames Gateway Bridge

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if toll revenues from the Dartford Bridge will be ring-fenced for the proposed Thames Gateway river crossings.

David Jamieson: The Dartford net income forms part of the funding included in the 10 year transport plan. This income has not been ring-fenced for Thames Gateway river crossings.

Thames Gateway Bridge

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether plans for the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge include segregated public transport lanes.

David Jamieson: The Thames Gateway Bridge project is the responsibility of the Mayor of London and Transport for London. They are developing the plans and the business case for the scheme. Segregated public transport lanes are among the options being considered.

Traffic/Revenue Forecasts (Rail Companies)

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the companies and consultancies which have undertaken traffic and revenue forecasts for (a) the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, (b) the Channel Tunnel and (c) Virgin West Coast Franchise.

David Jamieson: On the basis of information readily available to the Department, which covers the period since May 1997, forecasts have been produced, respectively by:
	(a) Booz Allen and Hamilton, Mott Macdonald, Arthur D. Little, LEK, London and Continental Railways
	(b) none
	(c) Booz Allen and Hamilton.

Traffic/Revenue Forecasts (Rail Companies)

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the companies and consultancies which are undertaking traffic and revenue forecasts for the proposed north-south high speed passenger rail link.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority have had advice from Atkins, supported by Ernst and Young, and Roger, Tymm and Partners.

Train Operators

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many train operators are running on a cost-plus basis; and what assessment he has made of the number of train operating companies that are technically insolvent.

David Jamieson: There is one train operating company operating under a franchise agreement which is on a cost-plus basis. Four other train operating companies operate under "management contracts" where they are paid annually on a predetermined budget amount: any variances from budget are at their risk. No train operating companies are technically insolvent.

Trans-Pennine Franchise

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the rationale for the Trans-Pennine franchise; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: No. The new Trans-Pennine Express (TPE) franchise was developed by the Strategic Rail Authority in consultation with the five PTEs affected. The reasoning behind the TPE franchise is that strategic, high quality rail links are needed to help increase the already significant level of economic activity and growth in the north, and that these services are best provided by a dedicated operator.

Travel Information

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards delivering integrated travel information.

David Jamieson: Transport Direct was announced in "Transport 2010—The 10 Year Plan" in July 2000. Transport Direct will provide integrated travel information to help people to plan their journeys and to compare routes and prices across different types of transport. The ultimate vision for Transport Direct is to cover all types of transport within the UK, including rail, bus, car, ferries, air, trams, and taxis. Transport Direct will do three things:
	Tell the traveller what choices they have when planning the journey
	Allow the traveller to book and pay for their journey at the time of making their inquiry
	Advise the traveller about how their chosen travel option is performing in real-time before they set off.
	Initially it will be available over the internet through our Transport Direct Web Portal. Later on we hope to extend the service to mobile phones, hand held devices, high street kiosks and interactive TV.
	We expect the first release of the Transport Direct portal to be available by the end of 2003, and will include:
	multi-modal travel information on the internet, covering road journeys as well as all public transport modes at a single point of contact
	real-time (that is, actual rather than recorded or timetabled) train operating information
	some booking of long-distance multi-modal journeys on the internet
	development of Internet-based maps, which will allow travellers to examine public transport options both for visiting a specific venue and for general travel around an area they are considering visiting.
	The initial portal service will be enhanced in subsequent years.

Trunk Roads

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of congestion was on the inter-urban trunk road network in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002.

David Jamieson: holding answer 20 May 2003
	Congestion on inter-urban trunk roads can be measured in a number of different ways. One option, used in the Department's 10-Year Plan, is to take the difference between actual average speeds and estimated speeds achievable in the absence of congestion. Full details of the methodology are available on the DfT website.
	The estimated level of congestion on inter-urban trunk roads in England, measured in this way, was 3.2 seconds per vehicle kilometre in 2000. No equivalent data are available for 2001 and 2002.

Urban Congestion

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of congestion was in large urban areas in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002.

David Jamieson: Congestion in large urban areas can be measured in a number of different ways. One option, used in the Department's Ten Year Plan, is to take the difference between actual average speeds and speeds achievable in the absence of congestion, estimated by measuring night time speeds. Full details of the methodology are available on the DfT website.
	The estimated level of congestion in large urban areas in England, measured in this way, was 24.8 seconds per vehicle kilometre in 2000 and 24.9 in 2002.

Vehicle Registration Numbers

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) objectives and (b) terms of reference are of the Modernisation of Vehicle Registration Implementation Board; what their programme of work is; and what provisions are in place to ensure wide consultation before decisions or recommendations are made.

John Spellar: The Modernising Vehicle Registration Implementation Board was set up to carry forward the proposals made by the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science report on modernising the vehicle registration system. The Board is driving forward a programme aimed at reducing vehicle crime and enhancing compliance with road traffic law in the UK.
	The Board have advised on a package of improvements to tackle car crime, reduce car dumping and ensure that every vehicle has a traceable keeper. As a consequence of the Board's advice, a range of proposals were announced by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (David Jamieson) today that will significantly tighten the registration and licensing system, and make it much easier to deter and detect motorists who fail to insure or tax their vehicle. It will also be easier to trace the keepers of abandoned vehicles. The measures announced include; the registered keepers of vehicles remaining legally responsible at all times for taxing their vehicle, offenders will be penalised from the record when their tax-disc expires or Statutory Off-Road Notification lapses. Those that fail to comply will face a new automatic £80 penalty. Determined offenders could face a minimum £1,000 fine if taken to court.
	The Government intend to consult on the secondary legislation that it plans to bring forward to implement these proposals. A wide range of stakeholders have already been consulted on these new measures and further consultation will take place as future initiatives are considered by the Board.

Vehicle Registration Numbers

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been raised in each of the past five years by the DVLA from the sale and auction of cherished registration numbers.

John Spellar: Over the past five years, the scheme has raised, net and (gross):
	
		£ million
		
			 Year Telesales Auctions Total 
		
		
			 1998–99 31 (46) 15(18) 46 (64) 
			 1999–2000 34 (50) 13 (16) 47 (66) 
			 2000–01 43 (63) 13(15) 56 (78) 
			 2001–02 47 (69) 17(21) 64 (90) 
			 2002–03 53 (81) 20.5 (26) 73.5 (107) 
		
	
	Since its inception in 1989, the scheme has raised over £720 million gross for the Exchequer.

Vehicle Registration Numbers

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the harmonisation of vehicle registration numbers across Europe.

John Spellar: We have had no such discussions.

Vehicle Registration Numbers

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who the members are of the Modernisation of Vehicle Registration Implementation Board; and what plans they have to consult with (a) motoring organisations and (b) those with knowledge of and an interest in classic or historic motor vehicles.

John Spellar: The Modernisation of Vehicle Registration Implementation Board (MVRIB) membership, is made up of representatives of the Department for Transport, the Police, Home Office, Cabinet Office, No. 10, AA, RAC, the insurance industry, motor manufacturers, motor traders, and the TUC.
	The AA and RAC representing motoring organisations, will continue to be invited and consulted as MVRIB meets in the future. My officials have also met with organisations representing the owners of historic vehicles, and we shall continue to include them in any future consultation undertaken in connection with the MVRIB programme.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Gaza (Waivers)

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Israeli Government regarding the requirement for foreigners entering the Gaza Strip to sign waivers which absolve the Israeli army of responsibility should they be injured or killed by Israeli forces.[

Mike O'Brien: I have asked officials to take this matter up with the Israeli authorities in London and Tel Aviv as soon as possible.

Aceh

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the political situation in Aceh.

Mike O'Brien: The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA), signed by the Indonesian Government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on 9 December 2002, has broken down. Talks held in Tokyo on 17 to 18 May 2003, aimed at salvaging the peace process, failed to reach agreement. The Indonesian Government have declared a state of martial law in Aceh, with the risk that the security situation will deteriorate.
	Despite the efforts of both sides, we regret the talks held in Tokyo did not achieve a positive result. We continue to impress upon both sides that a long-term solution to Aceh can only be achieved through peaceful dialogue and full implementation of the COHA. We hope that both sides will quickly return to the negotiating table.

Aceh

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Indonesian Government regarding attacks on international observers and civilians in Aceh.

Mike O'Brien: A joint declaration by the co-chairs of the Tokyo Conference on Peace and Reconstruction in Aceh, Japan, EU, US and the World bank, was issued on 9 April 2003. The statement deplored the violence and threats of violence directed against several of the international monitoring teams, and urged the Indonesian Government to take immediate steps to ensure the security of monitors in the field. The monitors have since been withdrawn from Aceh.
	The EU, Japan and the US recognise that the end of the peace process could bring violence and suffering to the people of Aceh. Co-sponsors have been actively involved in persuading both sides that they should continue the political dialogue. We hope that both sides will quickly return to the negotiating table.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the formation of an inclusive transitional Government for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bill Rammell: There has been good progress on the formation of a transitional national Government (TNG) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since agreement on its establishment was reached on 2 April 2003 in Sun City (South Africa). Most candidates for the TNG have now been selected. We understand installation is envisaged in June 2003.
	The UK has been actively engaged with our African, EU and UN partners in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the DRC. We will continue to play our part, as a member of the International Committee for Support to the Transition, which is tasked with supporting the transitional process in the DRC.

Egypt (Murders)

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Egyptian Government on bringing the murderers of Christians and a Muslim in El-Kosheh to justice; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: We were deeply concerned by the sectarian violence in El-Kosheh in 2000, which left 20 Christians and one Muslim dead. In the resulting trial, four men were convicted (out of 96 accused), all for the murder of the Muslim and public order offences. After an appeal, a re-trial began in May 2002. The verdict was issued on 27 February 2003. Two of the original convictions were upheld and harsher sentences passed, but the other two were acquitted, along with the 92 acquitted at the first trial.
	On 13 March 2003, the Prosecutor-General appealed again. This is an indication that the Egyptian legal authorities recognise that justice has not been done and are taking steps to attempt to rectify the injustice. We will continue to follow developments closely.

Gibraltar

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed visit by Her Majesty the Queen to Gibraltar.

Denis MacShane: Her Majesty's programme of visits for the next calendar year has not yet been finalised.

Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent talks between the UK Government and Spanish Government in relation to Gibraltar; and whether an agreement was reached between the UK Government and Government of Spain over the future of Gibraltar.

Denis MacShane: There are frequent discussions between the Government and the Government of Spain on a range of EU and other foreign policy issues. There have been no recent discussions concentrating on Gibraltar.

Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government has had with the Government of Spain in relation to the territorial waters between Gibraltar and Morocco; and whether agreement was reached with the Government of Spain over the sovereignty of the Straits of Gibraltar.

Denis MacShane: We have had no discussions with the Government of Spain on this issue.

Guantanamo Bay

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the terms of imprisonment for those held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are in accordance with UN resolutions on the protection of all persons under any form of detention or imprisonment.

Mike O'Brien: The US has told us that the detainees at Guantanamo Bay are being treated humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva Conventions. We have only had limited access to detainees so it is difficult to make an independent assessment.

Iraq

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the implementation of UN resolution 57/232 to deploy human rights monitors in Iraq.

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to assist the United Nations Security Council in playing an effective role in the promotion and protection of human rights in post-conflict Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The fall of Saddam Hussein's regime has brought to an end a long period of violations of the Iraqi people's human rights. The draft UN Security Council Resolution, put forward by the UK, US and Spain, proposes that there should be a UN Special Representative whose responsibilities would include the promotion of human rights. Working to support the people of Iraq in moving toward the establishment of a representative government affording equal rights and justice to all Iraqi citizens will be the best means of ensuring that their human rights are protected.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to secure the establishment by the United Nations Security Council of an impartial commission to examine and analyse information regarding (a) war crimes, (b) crimes against humanity and (c) genocide committed in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The draft resolution tabled in the Security Council by the UK, US and Spain calls on all member states of the UN to support action to bring to justice members of the previous Iraqi regime responsible for crimes and atrocities. The UN Special Representative is given a specific mandate to encourage international efforts to promote legal and judicial reform. We believe that the process of dealing with past crimes should be led by the people of Iraq. A team of experts is currently assessing the capacity of the Iraqi judicial system to deal with such crimes, and the extent of international assistance that will be needed.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that the Occupying Powers in Iraq report to the United Nations Security Council their provisions for the promotion and protection of human rights for Iraqi civilians.

Bill Rammell: The UK and US, as Occupying Powers, intend to report regularly to the UN Security Council on all aspects of their responsibilities in Iraq. The draft resolution currently under discussion in the Security Council reflects this intention, as well as providing for regular reporting by the Secretary-General on the activities of his Special Representative. The latter is specifically charged with promoting the protection of human rights.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amendments he plans to table to the draft UN resolution on reconstruction in Iraq to enable UN expertise in post-conflict institution building to be exercised in rebuilding Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The role of the Special Representative of the Secretary General, as envisaged by the draft resolution currently under discussion in the UN Security Council, covers a wide range of institution-building activities, specifically:
	working intensively with the Authority (the occupying powers), the people of Iraq, and others concerned to advance efforts to restore and establish national and local institutions for representative governance, including by working together to facilitate a process leading to an internationally recognised, representative Government of Iraq;
	facilitating the reconstruction of key infrastructure, in cooperation with other international organisations;
	promoting economic reconstruction and the conditions for sustainable development, including through coordination with national and regional organisations, as appropriate, civil society, donors and the international financial institutions;
	encouraging international efforts to contribute to basic civilian administration functions;
	promoting the protection of human rights;
	encouraging international efforts to rebuild the capacity of the Iraqi civilian police force; and
	encouraging international efforts to promote legal and judicial reform.
	We believe that this adequately addresses the UN role, and have not, therefore, proposed further amendments to the text.

Israel

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he is having with the Israeli Government regarding the decision not to allow (a) foreign diplomats and (b) visiting politicians to meet Israeli officials if they also intend to meet Yasser Arafat.

Mike O'Brien: Israeli officials have informed us of this decision. It will not help the cause of peace. We will continue to talk to President Arafat when we judge that this will be useful.

KPMG

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many contracts his Department has awarded to KPMG since 1997.

Bill Rammell: Since 1997 contracts have been awarded to KPMG or Atos KPMG Consulting, (which was created in August 2002 from the merger of Atos Origin and KPMG's UKand Dutch management consultancy operations), for the following projects:
	Development and Implementation of the FCO's Information and Communications Technology Strategy;
	Development of PRISM, the FCO's new financial and human resource system;
	Support for Knowledge Programme;
	Support for Future FIRECREST, the FCO's new global IT infrastructure system;
	Business Transformation Programme;
	Forecasting income from Consular Fees;
	Review of Financial Regulations in Overseas Territories.

Laos

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on (a) the treatment of Christians and (b) the recent release of Christian prisoners in Laos.

Mike O'Brien: We are aware of reports of the detention and mistreatment of Christians in Laos and our Embassy in Bangkok (which is accredited to Laos) monitors the situation. We raise concerns about human rights in Laos, including the treatment of Christians, when the opportunity arises. In London in January the Asia Pacific Director at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office discussed these issues with Sayakane Sisouvong, the ASEAN Director General at the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
	It remains a concern to us that the Lao government detains people, albeit comparatively few in number, on charges which run counter to internationally accepted standards of human rights. But we welcome any release of Christian prisoners in Laos as an indication that the human rights situation in Laos is improving.

North Korea

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the deliberations at the UN Security Council meeting on 9 April 2003 pertaining to North Korea.

Bill Rammell: During preliminary discussion of North Korea's nuclear programmes on 9 April 2003, the UN Security Council expressed its concern and agreed to follow developments. Council members are considering the issue in more detail at expert level. We believe that this is a matter concerning international peace and security, and therefore, a legitimate issue for the Security Council to discuss.

Middle East (Peace Activists)

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with the Israeli Government regarding the safety of peace activists in the Occupied Territories.

Mike O'Brien: Officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv and our Consulate-General in Jerusalem have taken up individual cases with the Israeli authorities and will do all they properly can to help British nationals in difficulty in the region.
	On 11 April, I spoke to the Israeli Ambassador to raise our concerns about the case of Thomas Hurndall, a British peace activist shot in Gaza on 11 April and other cases. On 8 May, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to Silvan Shalom, the Israeli Foreign Minister, about the shooting of Thomas Hurndall (and also of James Miller, a British cameraman). We both called for a full and transparent investigation into the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) shooting to be carried out by the Israeli Military Police. Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv has also raised our concerns locally with the Israeli authorities. The Israeli Government took note of our concerns and promised to co-operate.

Middle East (Peace Activists)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government has made to the Israeli authorities on the decision to ask peace activists to sign a waiver before entering Gaza.

Mike O'Brien: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend, the Member for Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda) today (UIN 113734).

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Department has taken to publicise its Public Service Agreement targets; and at what cost to public funds.

Bill Rammell: The text of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Public Service Agreement for the 2002 Spending Review period has been placed on the FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk) and included in the FCO's annual Departmental Report for 2003 and its Business Plan for 2003–2006. These actions have been taken in the course of normal business and no additional expenditure has been incurred.

Road Accidents (France)

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens have been killed in road accidents in France in each of the last five years.

Mike O'Brien: The French authorities have notified us that the following numbers of British citizens have been killed in road accidents in France since 1998:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1998 44 
			 1999 25 
			 2000 17 
			 2001 27 
			 2002 47

Shaiboub William Arsal

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further plans he has to raise the case of Shaiboub William Arsal with the Egyptian authorities in advance of his appeal later this year.

Mike O'Brien: None. We are monitoring the appeal process, which we hope will be conducted in accordance with Egypt's international human rights obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Egypt is a party.

Sustainable Development

John Horam: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which United Kingdom commitments arising from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (a) have been incorporated into the Department's existing delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements and (b) will be incorporated in its delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements in advance of the 2004 Spending Review.

Bill Rammell: Commitments from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Plan of Implementation, such as action on illegal logging and sustainable tourism, have been incorporated into the delivery of the FCO's Public Service Agreement (PSA) for the period 2003–06. In particular FCO PSA target 7 seeks to "Make globalisation work for sustainable development in the UK and internationally (and particularly in Africa) by promoting democracy and the rule of law, good economic and environmental governance, and security of long term energy supply, measured by specific underlying targets." FCO programme funds, including the new Global Opportunities Fund, will be used to support work in pursuit of this target.
	Guidance on Public Service Agreements and delivery plans for the period covered by the 2004 Spending Review (2005–08) will issue later this year. Decisions on incorporating WSSD Plan of Implementation commitments into those will be taken in light of that guidance.

UN Voluntary Trust Fund (Slavery)

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the UK Government are giving to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.

Bill Rammell: Earlier this year, the Department for International Development gave £10,000 to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery which was allocated to project grants.

Visas

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for visas to enter the UK in each of the last five years were made (a) in total and (b) at (i) Accra, (ii) Banjul, (iii) Harare, (iv) Karachi, (v) Kiev, (vi) Lagos, (vii) Madrid, (viii) Manila, (ix) Peking, (x) Quang Zhou, (xi) Rome and (xii) Shanghai.

Bill Rammell: All entry clearance issuing posts submit an annual statistical return. This information is collated in the Entry Clearance Annual Statistics booklet, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. This information is available for the years 1997 to 2002. We are currently collecting data for the year 2002–03 and this will be placed in the Library of the House when complete.

Visas

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (a) how many staff are employed, (b) how many staff are employed in the visa section and (c) how many staff in each visa section are non-British nationals in Her Majesty's embassies, high commissions and posts in (A) Zimbabwe, (B) Somalia, (C) Afghanistan, (D) Iran, (E) Turkey, (F) Congo, (G) Sri Lanka, (H) Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, (I) Pakistan, (J) India, (K) Albania, (L) Algeria, (M) Angola, (N) Bolivia, (O) Brazil, (P) Bulgaria, (Q) China, (R) Colombia, (S) Croatia, (T) Egypt, (U) Ghana, (V) Nigeria, (W) Jamaica, (X) Kenya, (Y) Morocco, (Z) Romania, (AA) Sweden and (BB) Czech Republic.

Bill Rammell: The information requested is set out in the following table, however, we hold no records centrally on local staff nationality and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. We have therefore provided the total number of local staff in each visa section. The figures reflect staff year full time equivalents i.e. two officers working part time at 50 per cent. equals one full time officer.
	
		
			 Letter Country Post Total staff Total visa staff Locally engaged staff  
		
		
			 A Zimbabwe Harare 60.9 4.2 3.1 
			 B Somalia Mogadishu 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 C Afghanistan Kabul 23.0 0.1 0.0 
			 D Iran Tehran 116.0 26.2 18.0 
			 E Turkey Ankara 83.5 2.7 2.5 
			 E Turkey Istanbul 113.3 34.0 23.3 
			 F Congo Kinshasa 60.0 2.0 1.8 
			 G Sri Lanka Colombo 107.8 14.6 10.0 
			 H Serbia/Montenegro Belgrade 77.3 6.0 4.0 
			 H Serbia/Montenegro Pristina 43.0 1.0 1.0 
			 I Pakistan Islamabad 387.6 104.8 64.6 
			 I Pakistan Karachi 91.0 28.0 19.0 
			 I Pakistan Lahore 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 I Pakistan Sylhet 3.0 2.0 2.0 
			 J India Chennai 48.0 22.9 15.9 
			 J India Kolkata 49.0 6.0 4.1 
			 J India Mumbai 119.6 42.2 28.1 
			 J India New Delhi 348.4 61.2 46.0 
			 K Albania Tirana 34.0 3.8 2.5 
			 L Algeria Algiers 66.7 7.5 6.4 
			 M Angola Luanda 42.5 1.3 1.0 
			 N Bolivia LaPaz 40.1 0.4 0.3 
			 0 Brazil Brasilia 132.4 0.3 0.2 
			 0 Brazil Rio de Janeiro 34.2 2.8 2.2 
			 0 Brazil Sao Paulo 42.8 0.0 0.0 
			 P Bulgaria Sofia 78.1 14.2 10.5 
			 Q China Beijing 215.7 46.3 31.6 
			 Q China Chongqing 10.5 0.0 0.0 
			 Q China Guangzhou 46.0 20.3 15.0 
			 Q China Hong Kong 160.8 7.2 6.1 
			 Q China Shanghai 49.2 13.7 9.7 
			 R Colombia Bogota 99.6 11.9 8.2 
			 S Croatia Zagreb 50.8 10.7 8.1 
			 T Egypt Alexandria 13.6 0.5 0.5 
			 T Egypt Cairo 161.0 12.5 10.0 
			 U Ghana Accra 193.5 48.6 32.5 
			 V Nigeria Abuja 113.5 18.2 12.0 
			 V Nigeria Lagos 261.3 71.9 46.9 
			 W Jamaica Kingston 73.5 7.8 5.6 
			 X Kenya Nairobi 140.7 13.2 7.9 
			 Y Morocco Casablanca 27.0 7.5 5.1 
			 Y Morocco Rabat 32.3 0.4 0.3 
			 Y Morocco Tangier 3.0 0.9 0.9 
			 Z Romania Bucharest 84.2 13.5 9.8 
			 AA Sweden Stockholm 59.5 4.4 4.4 
			 BB Czech rep Prague 71.0 2.5 1.8 
			4,068.5 699.7 482.6

Western Sahara

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the UN Secretary General and James Baker to publish their proposals for the Western Sahara.

Mike O'Brien: The UN Secretary-General is due to report to the Security Council on the situation in Western Sahara in advance of the expiry of the current mandate of United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) on 31 May 2003.

Zimbabwe

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning an award by Interpol to the Commissioner of Police for Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We were not involved in Interpol's decision to appoint the Zimbabwe Police Commissioner as Honorary Vice President, and we believe it was wrong. With our strong support, the EU Presidency will write to the Secretary General of Interpol, expressing the EU's concern and asking them to reconsider this appointment.

HEALTH

Amputations

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) NHS audits and (b) other statistical assessments which require records to be kept of amputations.

David Lammy: Clinical audit is organised both locally and nationally. All clinicians are required to participate in clinical audit. Given this requirement it is expected that vascular and orthopaedic surgeons, those most likely to perform amputation procedures, participate in a range of local clinical audit activities. There is no central record of local clinical audits.
	The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) has the responsibility for developing a programme of national clinical audits. Currently there is no national clinical audit in the programme specifically targeted at amputation. The development of a national clinical audit for diabetes may provide data of associated amputations.
	The Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland maintains a clinical database of activity related to vascular surgery, and is actively considering a national clinical audit of amputation.
	Amputation data is collected through the Department's Hospital Episodes Statistics system. Current in-patient data from the HES system is shown in the table.
	
		Main operation (X07-X11) amputations; Finished consultant episodes; In year admissions; NHS hospitals England 1999–00 to 2001–02
		
			 OPCS 4operationcode 3 char main operationdescription 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 X07 Amputation of arm 113 111 116 
			 X08 Amputation of hand 3,126 3,074 3,081 
			 X09 Amputation of leg 5,462 5,505 5,415 
			 X10 Amputation of foot 580 568 569 
			 X11 Amputation of toe 5,028 4,980 4,777 
			  Total 14,309 14,238 13,958 
		
	
	An FCE is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may have several episodes within the year.
	The main operation is the first of four operation fields in the HES data set, and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode.
	Figures in this table have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health
	Information is also available on the National Amputee Statistical Database (NASDAB), managed by representatives from UK NHS Prosthetic Centres, British Healthcare Trade Association, NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, and Information and Statistics Division Scotland. The database records, and publishes annually, the considerable detail about new referrals to UK prosthetic centres.

Care Standards

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role the Commission for Health Inspection and Audit will play in assessing the quality of (a) health care and (b) clinical governance as it affects residents in care homes.

David Lammy: Clause 99 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill will, subject to Parliamentary approval, transfer the regulation of independent healthcare from the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) to the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI).
	All other NCSC functions, including the regulation and inspection of care homes will transfer to the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).
	Under clause 116 of the Bill, CSCI will be able to ask CHAI for help with the discharge of its functions.

Cheshire and Merseyside SHA

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what arrangements are in place for reviewing the performance of the Chief Executive of Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority; and when, and by whom, such reviews are carried out;
	(2)  by what means hon. Members can contribute to a review of the performance of a Chief Executive of a health authority.

Jacqui Smith: The performance of chief executives of strategic health authorities (SHAs) is the responsibility of the relevant SHA board in partnership with senior officials at the Department of Health. Hon. Members can convey their views to the relevant SHA Chair.

Cheshire and Merseyside SHA

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people applied for the post of Chief Executive of the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority; and how many were interviewed.

Jacqui Smith: At the time when the chief executive posts for the strategic health authorities (SHAs) were advertised, the boundaries had not been identified. Candidates were therefore required to express an interest in the following areas: Eastern; London; North West; Northern and Yorkshire; South East; and South West.
	As such no candidates expressed an interest in, or were interviewed for the Cheshire and Merseyside SHA.

Children's National Service Framework

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether performance indicators will be included in the Children's National Service Framework to measure outcomes.

Jacqui Smith: It is intended that the national service framework (NSF) for children, young people and maternity services will contain advice on possible performance indicators to measure outcomes of NSF implementation. These indicators are to be developed by the NSF in conjunction with the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection.

Departmental Staff

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of regional variations in staff turnover in his Department.

David Lammy: The Department regularly monitors turnover for staff working in London and in other parts of the country. The most recent information, for January to October 2002, is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Location Percentage by location 
		
		
			 London 10 
			 Elsewhere 13 
			 Overall total 11

Depression (Schoolchildren)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what health professionals are available in schools to deal with problems of depression among pupils.

Jacqui Smith: The Government's strategy for the development of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), initiated in 1999, has made significant progress in improving the overall quality and accessibility of local services for children and young people with mental health problems. Our current investment programme, £250 million over the coming three years, aims to secure comprehensive services in all areas by 2006 and will increase the capacity of 'core' specialist CAMHS to underpin the work of other key agencies, including education.
	The Department for Education and Skills "Behaviour Improvement Programme" funds multi-agency teams, which offer targeted support to pupils who have mental health problems such as depression. The teams known as behaviour and education support teams (BESTs), have a complementary mix of education and health professionals, which may include clinical psychologists, educational psychologists, social workers and mental health workers. There are approximately 80 BESTs working in 33 local education authorities (LEAs) supporting over 70 secondary and 300 primary schools. BESTs are being implemented in a further 27 LEAs during 2003.

Drug Addiction

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the clinical effectiveness of ibogaine in treating drug addiction; and what funds are available for further trials.

Hazel Blears: No specific assessment has been made on the clinical effectiveness of this drug. It is not licensed for use in the treatment of drug dependence. Licensing of medicines in the United Kingdom is determined by science. The same standard of safety and efficacy would be required for ibogaine as for any other medicine.

Elderly People

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths amongst old people in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire were attributed to cold in each year since 1997.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 22 May 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many deaths amongst old people in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire were attributed to cold in each year since 1997. (114758)
	Cold is not recorded as a cause of death in itself, however hypothermial (subnormal body temperature) may be mentioned on the death certificate. For the period 1997 to 2001 (the latest year for which data are currently available) the total number of deaths of usual residents of (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire, aged over 65 where hypothermia was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate was less than five in both cases.
	1 Defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code N991.6 for the years 1997 to 2000, and, for the year 2001, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (1CD-10) code T68).

Elderly People

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost of health services for an elderly person in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: This information is not held centrally.

Independent Complaints Advocacy Service

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Independent Patient Advocacy Services will be in place by the time community health councils are abolished; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The Department has put the contracts to provide the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service out to tender. Only organisations that can provide the service from 1 September 2003 will be considered for the contracts.

Independent Complaints Advocacy Service

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 19 March 2003, Official Report, column 850W, on patient advocacy, which organisations will be invited to tender for interim contracts to become specialist complaints support providers.

David Lammy: Tendering exercises of this kind follow Department of Health procurement guidelines, which protect the commercial confidentiality of tenderers while the invitation-to-tender process is underway.

Independent Complaints Advocacy Service

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis individuals will be assessed to be suitable candidates to be specialist patient support providers under the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service.

David Lammy: Those tendering to provide the interim Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) will have to demonstrate that they can provide the service to the ICAS Standards set by the Department of Health. When primary care trust patients' forums commission or provide the service, they will abide by standards set by the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health.

KPMG

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts his Department has awarded to KPMG since 1997.

David Lammy: The Department does not centrally hold a record of individual contracts. However, our financial records show the following payments made by the Department, excluding its Agencies, to KPMG by fiscal year since April 1997.
	
		£000
		
			  Value 
		
		
			 1997–98 333.7 
			 1998–99 166.9 
			 1999–2000 222.8 
			 2000–01 33.0 
			 2001–02 1,715.2 
			 2002–03 3,255.2

Liver Disease

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on research within the NHS into developing the technique of transplanting hepatocytes into those suffering a variety of liver diseases.

David Lammy: Research on the transplantation of hepatocytes into those suffering from liver disease has been undertaken by Dr. Anil Dhawan of the Supra Regional Paediatric Service at King's College Hospital National Health Service Trust. The primary aim of the project is to develop the use of isolated hepatocytes for clinical cell transplantation in paediatric patients with liver-associated metabolic defects or acute liver failure, as an alternative to whole liver transplantation. The research involves the establishment of a new facility and a case control study. It has been funded by the Children's Liver Disease Foundation and the National Lotteries Charities Board.

Medicine Usage

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will launch an inquiry into how GPs and pharmacists may be better able to advise and counsel patients on how to use medicines more appropriately.

David Lammy: holding answer 15 May 2003
	General practitioners and pharmacists are highly skilled health professionals with access to a range of sources of advice about the use of medicines. They are therefore well placed to advise and counsel patients.
	Considerable progress is already being made on providing patients with more advice and counselling about their medicines. "Pharmacy in the Future—Implementing the NHS Plan", launched in September 2000, sets out a programme of reform through which pharmacists will play a full part in delivering better services to patients. The aim is for all primary care trusts to have schemes in place so that people get more help from pharmacists in using their medicines by 2004. Working closely with GPs and giving patients more information about the effective use of medicines is central to this progress.

Mental Health

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts have within their area talking treatments available for those with mental health problems on prescription from general practitioners.

Jacqui Smith: Although patterns and levels of provision vary as a result of staffing levels and local decisions on how to meet population needs within available resources, talking treatments are available to every primary care trust.
	Psychological therapies, counselling and psychotherapy are listed in the mental health national service framework among the range of effective treatments for people with mental health problems, including those with severe and enduring mental illness.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial assistance has been given to primary care trusts in the last year to support mental health services in treating drug users with mental health problems.

Hazel Blears: Funding for those who suffer from dual diagnosis, that is drug users with mental health problems, is available from two main sources. These include the National Service Framework for Mental Health (1999) which was supported by additional investment of over £300 million by 2004 as announced in the NHS Plan and the pooled drug treatment budget which was increased to £243.6 million this financial year.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the percentage of service personnel returning from Iraq likely to need access to mental health services; and to what extent he has drawn on the experiences of the first Gulf conflict in making that assessment;
	(2)  what provision has been made to meet the mental health needs of young soldiers returning from Iraq, with particular reference to those who have undergone combat experiences.

Jacqui Smith: Armed forces personnel returning from the Gulf who need mental health care would normally receive treatment from the Defence Medical Services. Treatment may also be provided by the National Health Service, if necessary. It is still too early to know whether any major mental health concerns will emerge among those who took part in Operation Telic.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the address of each mental health NHS Trust in England.

Jacqui Smith: The address of each National Health Service mental health trust in England has been placed in the Library.

NHS Dentistry

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will introduce provision within plans for the transition into new arrangements for NHS Dentistry contained within the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill to ensure that (a) patients and (b) dentists are kept informed of changes and to ensure that the livelihoods of dentists already providing NHS dentistry are safeguarded; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what proposals he has included within the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill to attract (a) dentists, (b) dental nurses, (c) dental hygienists and (d) dental therapists into NHS dentistry; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what provisions there are in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill which will increase the proportion of the NHS budget allocated to NHS dentistry.

David Lammy: It is the intention of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill to better match the provision of primary dental services with local oral health needs through local commissioning of the service. This would enable local flexibility to be built into the system.
	It is also the intention of the Bill that providing oral health services to national health service patients becomes a more attractive option to general dental practitioners by making it possible to pay them differently. The current item-of-service remuneration system is widely recognised as the main reason for dentists' disaffection with NHS work as they are paid only for treatments rather than oral health care. Under this proposed approach, the whole dental team would be better able to advise patients on improving their oral health allowing further improvement of the quality and patient focus of their care. In addition, NHS dentists and other members of the dental team will increasingly become part of the NHS family, participating in local dental public health programmes and benefiting from primary care trust (PCT) support networks and in due course, to NHS occupational health services. By contracting with a PCT, dental practices will receive a more secure and predictable income in return for a longer term commitment to the NHS.
	All stakeholders are being kept abreast of the proposed changes. The patients forum has met officials and is broadly supportive. A working group, led by the Department's Director for Patient Experience and Public Involvement and including patient representatives, will undertake a review of the charging regime. To improve patient experience of NHS dentistry, each PCT will be required to publish information about the primary dental services in its area.
	A series of events for dentists was held by the NHS Modernisation Agency earlier this year. The events were designed to explain the proposals in "NHS dentistry—Options for Change" and to encourage their involvement. Workshops for PCTs are being run by the national primary and care trust development programme and the Department of Health. In addition, learning events are being provided for local dental committee representatives by the British Dental Association, together with the NHS Modernisation Agency.
	The legislation before Parliament proposes transitional arrangements under which a dentist already providing general dental services must be offered a new GDS contract, the terms of which would include remuneration.
	Subject to Parliament, funding will be allocated to PCTs, which will then hold a predictable financial resource to secure primary dental services. Funding for primary care dentistry, hitherto held centrally and administered by the Dental Practice Board, will then be part of PCT general allocation, which has in recent years seen a higher rate of growth than that in the general dental service. Over time, PCTs will be better able to target these resources and to increase their spend on dentistry in the light of local circumstances.
	Funding is being made available for a support team for NHS dentistry to support local health economies during this period of substantial change to develop their capacity for local commissioning of primary care dentistry and to assist them in addressing immediate or potential access issues.

NHS Dentistry

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what action he is taking to encourage dentists to continue to offer dental treatment on the NHS;
	(2)  what action he is taking to protect patients who are having dental treatment on the NHS withdrawn by their dental practice;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on dental practices which are withdrawing NHS treatment for existing patients while offering to continue treatment through private dental plans.

David Lammy: I refer my hon. Friend to the response I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) today.
	General dental practitioners are independent contractors and, as such, are free to choose whether they wish to provide national health service or private dentistry or a combination of the two. However, very few practices are exclusively private, with only about 5 per cent. offering no NHS treatment. Under their NHS terms of service, dentists who stop offering NHS services are required to complete any outstanding treatment on the NHS or notify the appropriate primary care trust if this is not possible.
	A number of initiatives have been introduced in recent years to encourage dentists to continue to offer dental treatment on the NHS:
	The commitment payments scheme was introduced in 2000 to encourage dentists' commitment to the NHS. Dentists who have offered NHS treatment to patients for five years or more and who have a certain level of NHS commitment receive extra payments. Dentists in England earned an extra £23 million under the scheme in 2002–03.
	£10 million was made available between 1997–99 under the Investing in Dentistry scheme to allow dentists to increase their NHS commitment or start new practices in areas of poor access.
	A Dental Care Development Fund of £4 million was made available in 2000–01 along with £6 million Dental Action Plan money in 2001–02 to allow practices to grow and treat more patients.
	A Modernisation Fund of £35 million was made available in 2001–02 for practices to expand or improve their premises.
	Where dentists withdraw from providing NHS dentistry, PCTs can apply to the Secretary of State for agreement to fund salaried general dental practitioners under Section 56 of the 1977 NHS Act. Any such applications recently received have been given a positive response.
	In addition, a number of dental access centres (DAC) have been set up primarily in areas where access to NHS dentistry is difficult. Patients do not have to be registered to receive treatment in a DAC.
	A range of dental treatments is available under the NHS to unregistered patients through the occasional treatment arrangements. This ensures that those patients who require urgent treatment can receive it without registering with a dentist.

NHS Dentistry

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 12th May, Official Report, column 107W, on NHS dentists, what the gross increase in the number of dentists treating NHS patients was.

David Lammy: holding answer 20 May 2003
	4,922 dentists joined the general dental service (CDS) between September 1997 and September 2002. Due to dentists leaving the CDS on retirement and for other reasons in the same period, the overall increase of dentists was 1,672.

NHS Dentistry

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire accept new patients for treatment on the NHS that are (i) elderly, (ii) children, (iii) unemployed and (iv) disabled.

David Lammy: Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority has provided the following information.
	In Shrewsbury and Atcham, one practice is currently accepting children up to age 18. One practice is currently accepting adults eligible for free National Health Service dental care. This includes patients who are pregnant, or claiming benefits.
	In Shropshire, there are thirteen practices currently accepting children. Seven practices are currently accepting adults eligible for free NHS dental care. This includes patients who are pregnant, or are claiming benefits.
	In addition, there are dental access centres (DACs) in Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Whitchurch, Market Drayton, Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Craven Arms and Telford. Patients do not need to be registered to receive treatment in a DAC.
	No separate figures for elderly patients, unemployed patients, or patients with disabilities are available.

NHS Dentistry

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS dentistry, with particular reference to (a) Portsmouth and (b) the rest of Hampshire.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave my hon. Friend, the Member for Burnley (Peter Pike) today, at columns 964-66W.
	I recognise that the access to routine national health service dental in Southern Hampshire and the Isle of Wight remains difficult. Access is particularly difficult in Fareham and Gosport, East Hampshire and Southampton City primary care trusts.
	Five dental practices in Portsmouth City PCT are currently accepting new NHS patients for registration, although all have waiting lists.
	Arrangements are in place across Hampshire to ensure that patients with an urgent need for treatment can be seen within 24 hours. The PCT helpline staff can make an appointment the same day, or within 24 hours, for such patients in either a dental access centre, or with one of a number of general dental practitioners who have contracted with the PCT to provide a number of urgent appointments.
	Three out-of-hours emergency dental service facilities operate in Hampshire.
	It is anticipated that with the local commissioning of primary dental services proposed in the Bill currently before Parliament, PCTs would be better placed to address local access issues as they arise.

NHS Dentistry

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide additional resources to primary care trusts for commissioning dental care under the proposals set out in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill.

David Lammy: Subject to Parliament, funding will be allocated to primary care trusts as part of each PCT's general allocation.
	The exact allocations are yet to be determined.

NHS Dentistry

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have been recruited from (a) within the EU and (b) other countries to work in NHS dentistry since 2000.

David Lammy: Information on the number of dentists who joined the general dental service, by country of qualification, in the years 2000–02 in England and Wales, is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year ending 31 December 2000 2001 
		
		
			 EU (not including UK) 230 197 
			 UK 670 693 
			 Other Countries 198 172 
		
	
	Note:
	Excludes dentists whose status is currently shown as Statutory Exam or Awaiting Entry

NHS Trusts (North-West)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 6 May 2003, Official Report, column 66W, what informal meetings have taken place to discuss the financial problems of North Cheshire Hospital NHS Trusts.

Jacqui Smith: In accordance with the Strategic Health Authority's (SHA) role in monitoring and supporting national health service trusts to meet their financial responsibilities, officers of the Cheshire and Merseyside SHA hold meetings and have discussions with all hospital trusts, primary care trusts and health communities within their boundary, either individually or in groups, on a regular and on-going basis.

NHS Trusts (North-West)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when and by whom an approach was made by the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority to the chair of the Five Boroughs Mental Health trust, for assistance with the financial problems of North Cheshire hospitals NHS trust; and what the nature was of the assistance requested.

Jacqui Smith: The Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority (CMSHA) has not approached the chair of the Five Boroughs Partnership national health service trust concerning the financial status of the North Cheshire Hospitals NHS trust. However, the CMSHA has agreed a six months secondment of an experienced director of finance from a Merseyside NHS trust to cover a vacancy at the north Cheshire hospitals NHS trust.

NHS Trusts (North-West)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 6 May 2003, Official Report, column 663W, if he will make a statement on the recovery plan agreed in June 2002 for north Cheshire hospitals NHS Trust; how much money was to be transferred from other trusts in north Cheshire; and which services would be affected as a result.

Jacqui Smith: Recovery plans were developed by the north Cheshire health community, including the north Cheshire hospitals national health service trust. Those plans were reviewed by the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority (CMSHA) and after they were seen to be failing, a revision was requested in October 2002, which is now subject to a review by the Audit Commission. No money was to be transferred from other NHS trusts in north Cheshire. However, the CMSHA has facilitated brokerage from other organisations elsewhere in Cheshire and Merseyside to ensure that there is no impact on services in north Cheshire and to facilitate local developments.

NHS Trusts (North-West)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 6 May 2003, Official Report, column 663W, if he will place a copy of the Audit Commission's review of the recovery plan for the North Cheshire Health Community in the Library.

Jacqui Smith: The current review by the Audit Commission will take the form of a facilitative approach to confirm the trust's financial position and further develop cross-organisational co-operation to improve financial and operational performance. It is expected to report back via presentational feedback, rather than as a formal report. However, when the review is completed, the chief executive of the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority will write to the hon. Member for Warrington, North, the hon. Member for Warrington, South (Helen Southworth) and the hon. Member for Weaver Vale (Mr. Hall) with its findings.

NHS Trusts (North-West)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time taken by the Chief Executive of Cheshire and Merseyside SHA to respond to a request from an hon. Member that she telephone them since her appointment.

Jacqui Smith: The Chief Executive of the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority treats any contact from an hon. Member very seriously. It is her policy to return calls on the same day where possible or at the earliest possible opportunity.

NHS Trusts (North-West)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual running costs are of the headquarters of the Cheshire and Merseyside SHA; and how many staff are employed there.

Jacqui Smith: Each strategic health authority was allocated a budget of £4 million in 2002–03 to cover their running costs.

Organ Removals

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the removal of the brains from deceased patients without the consent of the next of kin ceased in the UK.

David Lammy: In the past, the Human Tissue Act 1961 has been subject to different interpretations, as it lacks clarity in a number of important respects, not least in the area of consent.
	The Department has issued guidance to ensure that consent is sought before the removal of any organs from deceased patients, except where this is covered by the law relating to coroners' post mortems.
	This guidance was first issued in March 2000 and new guidance was issued as recently as April 2003, in anticipation of changes to clarify the law.

Patient Forums

David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will issue guidance on setting up patients forums.

David Lammy: The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) is responsible for all operational matters relating to forums, including organising the recruitment to them and ensuring that they are properly supported.
	Therefore, any advice that is issued about the setting up of forums is a matter for the CPPIH.

Patient Forums

David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects patients forums to be in place.

David Lammy: The intention is that all patients forums will be in place by the end of the year.

Pharmacies

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community pharmacies in (a) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, (b) Teesside, (c) the North East region and (d) England were (i) closed and (ii) opened in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: The table shows information on the number of pharmacies opening and closing in each year since 1997 in Tees Health Authority. For the North East region and England, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend, the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Hepburn), on 28 April 2003, Official Report, column 266–67W. Such information for Middlesborough South and East Cleveland is not held centrally.
	
		Tees Health Authority
		
			 Year(6) Number of NHS pharmacies opening Number of NHS pharmacies closing 
		
		
			 1997 2 0 
			 1998 0 0 
			 1999 1 0 
			 2000 0 0 
			 2001 0 1 
			 2002 0 0 
		
	
	(6) Ending 31 March.

Pharmacies

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to publish an interim report at the end of June on the position of his Department in relation to the OFT report on pharmacy services.

David Lammy: The Government intends to publish a progress report at the end of June and to come forward with proposals in response to the Office of Fair Trading's study on retail pharmacies before the summer recess.

Primary Care (Greater Manchester)

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the distance from target for each primary care trust in Greater Manchester for each of the three years of the current spending settlement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 19 May 2003
	The information requested is shown in the table. It shows distance from target for each primary care trust (PCT) in Greater Manchester, as determined by the weighted capitation formula for 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06.
	
		
			  Distance from target (percentage)(7)  
			 Primary care trust 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan -3.38 -3.19 -3.12 
			 Bolton -5.12 -4.83 -4.71 
			 Bury -1.99 -1.87 -1.82 
			 Central Manchester 1.03 0.79 0.59 
			 Heywood and Middleton -5.21 -4.92 -4.79 
			 North Manchester 0.12 0.09 0.07 
			 Oldham -7.73 -7.30 -6.00 
			 Rochdale -4.18 -3.94 -3.84 
			 Salford -1.08 -1.02 -0.99 
			 South Manchester -3.55 -3.35 -3.26 
			 Stockport 2.19 1.74 1.29 
			 Tameside and Glossop -2.75 -2.60 -2.53 
			 Trafford North 1.87 1.44 1.07 
			 Trafford South 12.82 12.32 11.75 
		
	
	(7) A negative distance from target shows that the PCT is under target. A positive distance from target shows that the PCT is over target.

Prison Health Services

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what health services are available in prisons; how much has been allocated to the prison health service since 1997; and what action is taken when a prisoner faces serious health difficulties.

Jacqui Smith: From 1 April 2003, the Department of Health assumed budgetary responsibility for prison health care in England, other than at contractually managed establishments. There has not, historically, been a separate budget for health care within overall prison service expenditure but the total Home Office baseline costs for 2002–03 were identified as £117.7 million. This baseline was transferred to the Department of Health, which will, over the next three years, make further resources, rising to around an extra £46 million a year by 2005–06, available to improve prison health services.
	Prisons which receive prisoners directly from court undertake a full health assessment on a prisoner's first reception into prison custody. There is, at the minimum, a primary health care service at every establishment. Most will also have some of a range of other services, such as in-patient facilities in a health care centre and dental, optical, mental health, substance misuse, genito-urinary and communicable disease services. Prisoners with physical or mental health problems which cannot be satisfactorily treated within the prison setting are admitted to hospital.

Statins

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by how much on average primary care trusts charged their prescription of statins during 2002; and at what cost.

David Lammy: The average cost of prescribing statins by primary care trust for 2002 was £181,492, representing an increase of 31 per cent over the equivalent figure for 2001.

Waiting Lists/Times

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people on NHS waiting lists died before receiving treatment in the past 12 months.

John Hutton: Information is collected on the number of people removed from NHS lists. This covers a number of categories, including those who have died. These categories are not separately identifiable.

Waiting Lists/Times

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area were waiting for in-patient treatment in each of the last two months for which figures are available.

David Lammy: holding answer 19 May 2003
	There were 9,174 patients waiting for in-patient treatment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust at the end of February 2003 and 8,577 at the end of March 2003.
	Source:
	QM08 Quarterly Return

Waiting Lists/Times

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area were waiting over 13 weeks for an outpatient appointment for the latest available quarter.

David Lammy: holding answer 19 May 2003
	There were 450 patients waiting 13 weeks or more for an outpatient appointment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Services Trust at Quarter 4 as at 31 March 2003.
	Source:
	QM08 Quarterly Return

Waiting Lists/Times

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 9 April 2003, Official Report, column 334W, on waiting times, whether any of the figures for waits in the table were in excess of national targets.

John Hutton: Waiting time statistics from hospital episode statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. It is therefore not possible to identify any 'breaches' of the waiting time targets using the data from the answer given on Wednesday 9 April 2003, Official Report, column 334W. HES provides counts and waiting times for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period, whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment at a given point in time and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the waiting time as the difference between the admission and decision-to-admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Central America

Win Griffiths: To ask the Minister of State for International Development if he will publish the outcome of the study commissioned on violence in the Central American region; and what action is proposed based on the study's findings.

Hilary Benn: The DFID funded Study on Violence in the Central America Region (by Caroline Moser and Alisa Winton) has been published by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) as Working Paper 171. A copy will be placed in the House of Commons Library. We are in discussion with the Government of Nicaragua about how we may support their efforts to reduce the cycle of violence and social exclusion.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the killing of two UN observers in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hilary Benn: The Government condemn the killing last week of two unarmed military observers from Malawi and Jordan in the Ituri District of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their bodies were recovered on 18 May 2003. We express our condolences both to their families and the Malawian Government and the King of Jordan.
	We are very concerned about the situation in the Ituri region and are monitoring developments closely. The UN has asked the UK and others to participate in an emergency multinational peacekeeping force to stabilise the security situation. We are considering this request urgently. We have asked for more details of the proposed deployment to enable us to look at possible options for providing assistance.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with particular reference to Ituri.

Hilary Benn: Recent data from the NGO International Rescue Committee and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) continues to provide evidence of a very serious humanitarian situation in DRC. Ituri is particularly badly affected. Militia commanders have agreed to allow overland access but want food for troops, which is not acceptable to the UN. The UN is planning a joint assessment. Access and the operating environment are the main constraints rather than funding at this stage.
	In March 2003 we provided funding of £1 million through UN OCHA for emergency humanitarian interventions in DRC including in Ituri. We remain willing to support agencies able to address urgent humanitarian needs in Ituri.
	Our total funding support to DRC has increased considerably in recent years. In 2000–01 our total funding was £3.09 million; in 2001–02 our total funding came to £5.56 million; in 2002–03 our total funding was £12.9 million. The allocation for 2003–04 is £16 million of which £4.26 million has already been committed.
	We continue to play our part alongside our international partners in seeking to change the situation through our support to the peace process in the DRC. It is only through this that the prospects of a real improvement in the situation in the long term can be achieved.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and (b) the UN concerning the humanitarian situation in the DRC with particular reference to Ituri.

Hilary Benn: We are liaison closely with the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) on the situation in Ituri. UN OCHA is Concerned to ensure that the immediate needs of civilians at the airport and at the MONUC camp are met. Militia commanders have agreed to allow overland access but want food for troops, which is not acceptable to the UN. The UN is planning a joint assessment. Access and the operating environment are the main constraints rather than funding at this stage.
	We continuously monitor the humanitarian situation in the DRC. We have increased our total funding to DRC in recent years. In 2001–2002 our total funding was £5.56 million, of which £5.18 million was humanitarian assistance. In 2002–03 our total funding was £12.9 million, of which £10.89 million was humanitarian assistance. In March 2003 we provided funding of £1 million UN OCHA for humanitarian emergency interventions in DRC including in Ituri. The Head of UN OCHA has recently visited and assessed the situation in the area and will be funding those humanitarian agencies that are currently active and effective. The UN OCHA Deputy Head for New York will also be visiting Ituri at the end of this week. DFID will shortly be sending its Humanitarian Adviser to visit the region to assess the situation and look at how DFID can effectively assist further alongside other international donors.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the possibility of deploying a rapid reaction force to the area of Ituri, Democratic Repubic of the Congo, and the possibility of humanitarian aid entering that area.

Hilary Benn: We are very concerned about the situation in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo and are monitoring developments closely. The UN has asked the UK and others to participate in an emergency multinational peacekeeping force to stabilise the security situation and we are considering this request urgently. We have asked for more details of the proposed deployment to enable us to look at possible options for providing assistance.
	The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) continues to confirm a very serious humanitarian situation in Ituri. Militia commanders have agreed to allow overland access but want food for troops which is not acceptable to the UN. The UN is planning ah urgent joint assessment. Access and the operating environment are the main constraints rather than funding at this stage.

Departmental Annual Report

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State for International Development what the estimated cost was of the reprinting of the Department's 2003 Annual Report following the resignation of the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Clare Short) as Secretary of State.

Hilary Benn: The printer's estimate for the reprint of the DFID 2003 Departmental Report is £29,340.
	The total estimated cost of printing the 2003 Departmental Report, including the reprint cost, is £76,480. This compares with £61,236 for the 2002 Departmental Report, and £81,577 for the 2001 Departmental Report.

Departmental Annual Report

Llew Smith: To ask the Minister of State for International Development how much it cost to pulp the original edition of the 2003 Departmental Report; and for what reason the decision was taken.

Hilary Benn: The printers estimate for reprinting the DFID 2003 Departmental Report is £29,340. Copies of the original edition were recycled at a cost of £40.
	The relevant Secretary of State presents Departmental Reports formally to Parliament, and if that person changes after printing but before presentation, we have to change the Departmental Report to reflect the fact.
	DFID's Secretary of State changed the day before publication. The Departmental Report produced for the former Secretary of State had already been printed ready for the presentation to Parliament. The report was therefore amended and reprinted to reflect the change in Secretary of State.

Iraq

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many departmental staff are employed in Iraq; and what their role in Iraq is.

Hilary Benn: DFID currently has four advisers in the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) in Baghdad. A number of additional short-term advisers will be seconded to ORHA over the coming days. DFID advisers are working on humanitarian assistance and liaison between ORHA and Iraqi administrators, UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, relevant NGOs and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq.
	DFID has two advisers seconded to the UK military in Basra. A third is expected to arrive soon. A further two staff based in Basra are liasing with the humanitarian agencies as well as with the UK military based there.

KPMG

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Minister of State for International Development how many contracts the Department has awarded to KPMG since 1997.

Hilary Benn: DFID has awarded 67 contracts to KPMG since 1 January 1997. This does not include any lower value contracts issued by our overseas offices, details of which are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Kuwait

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent discussion he has had with the Ministry of Health in Kuwait concerning the treatment of Ali Ismaael Abbas and other Iraqi children in the Ibn Sina Hospital in Kuwait.

Hilary Benn: DFID has not had any discussions with the Ministry of Health in Kuwait concerning the treatment of Iraqi children in hospitals in Kuwait.
	DFID's priority is to work with our partners to help improve health care for all Iraqis who need it. The UN, Red Cross/ Red Crescent, Save the Children Fund, Merlin and International Medical Corps have all received DFID funding for this work.
	We agree with the International Committee of the Red Cross the priority is to ensure that the Iraqi medical service is able to treat Iraqis, rather than have the war-wounded flown out of Iraq. If in exceptionally grave situations, children are taken abroad for treatment, they should be cared for in neighbouring countries where possible.

Middle East

Richard Burden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will place in the Library a copy of the memorandum sent during the week commencing Monday 12 May to the Quartet envoys by international development agencies operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories concerning the impact of restrictions on their freedom of movement and ability to operate imposed by the Israeli Government since 1April 2003; if he will list the restrictions involved; and what his assessment is of their impact.

Hilary Benn: I have placed in the libraries of both Houses copies of the 12 May note by the Association of International Development Agencies (Palestinian Territories) and the United Nations press release of 18 May on this subject.
	These documents list the restrictions involved. In particular they highlight the difficulties for people without diplomatic passports in entering the Gaza Strip. These restrictions are seriously impeding the ability of humanitarian agencies to carry out their work, in the context of an already deteriorating humanitarian situation.
	This is unacceptable. The British Government continues to make representations to the Government of Israel, bilaterally, through the EU, and with our other partners in the international community.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Minister of State for International Development what proportion of the Department's funding in sub-Saharan Africa is allocated to (a) primary health care and (b) reproductive health care.

Hilary Benn: Provisional figures for 2002–03 show that of £747 million DFID bilateral spend in Africa, approximately £113 million was directly in support of the health sector, some 15 per cent. of the total. This figure will represent an underestimate as some development assistance instruments, for example direct budget support to national Governments, support a range of national programmes, including health, without us necessarily being able to identify the specific level of support to each of the sectors.
	Similarly, in an increasing number of African countries, DFID is providing general health sector budget support to the overall national health plan. In many situations, we believe this to be a better approach than financing specific ring-fenced initiatives within the health sector. For this reason, it is no longer possible, or indeed appropriate, to specify the proportion of DFID funding in Africa allocated to primary health care and reproductive health services. We would, however, expect both primary health care and reproductive health services to be priority components of the national health plans to which we provide sector budget support. However, we do continue to support specific primary health care and reproductive health services investments in a number of African countries where budget support is not appropriate.

Third World Debt

Tom Cox: To ask the Minister of State for International Development what progress has been made on the eradication of third world debt during the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: To date, 26 countries out of a total of 37 eligible countries have qualified for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, and will receive over US$62 billion in debt relief. Of these, eight countries (Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda) have reached Completion Point and have received an irrevocable reduction in their stock of debt. The other 18 (Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Zambia) have reached Decision Point and are receiving interim relief on their debt servicing payments. During this stage of the process, these countries are no longer required to make any further payments on the debt to be written off. We expect most of these 18 countries to reach Completion Point within the next two years when they, too, will receive full debt relief. It is difficult to predict when the remaining 11 countries will qualify for HIPC relief, as many are still affected by conflict and governance problems. We expect the Democratic Republic of Congo to reach its Decision Point in the coming months, and the Central African Republic, Comoros and Cote d'Ivoire to do so later this year but, in some cases, this will depend on progress towards peace. The other countries (Burundi, Congo Republic, Liberia, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Togo) are a long way from qualifying, as they are affected by conflict or have serious governance concerns.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the outturn expenditure of the Audit Commission was in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; what the estimated expenditure is in the forthcoming financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: Information on expenditure by the Audit Commission at constant 2002–03 prices is tabled as followed:
	
		£ million
		
			 Year Expenditure 
		
		
			 1 April 1996—31 March 1997 111.1 
			 1 April 1997—31 October 1997 71 
			 1 November 1997—31 October 1998 120.1 
			 1 November 2002—31 October 2003 217 (estimated) 
		
	
	Note
	The Audit Commission's financial year, which is earlier years ran from 1 April to 31 March, was amended to run from 1 November to 31 October with effect from 1 November 1997. Information on the transitional seven-month period 1 April 1997–31 is therefore shown separately.
	The Commission has taken on a significant number of new responsibilities since 1997, notably those derived from the Local Government Act 1999 on local authority performance. These included the setting up of the best value inspection service and the development of the comprehensive performance assessment process.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) staff (full-time equivalent) and (b) press and public affairs staff were employed by the Audit Commission in (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98; how many are employed now; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The information requested on staff directly employed by the Audit Commission is tabled as follows:
	
		
			 Year Total staff directly employed Press and public affairs staff directly employed 
		
		
			 1996–97 1,277 1 
			 1997–98 1,349 1 
			 2002–03 2,400 8 
		
	
	Note:
	During 1996–97 and 1997–98, the majority of press office and public affairs work was contracted out to an external consultant. The press office is now located in-house, although some advice on public affairs is obtained from an external consultant.
	The Commission has taken on a significant number of new responsibilities since 1997, notably those derived from the Local Government Act 1999 on local authority performance. These included the setting up of the best value inspection service and the development of the comprehensive performance assessment process.

Council Tax

Charles Hendry: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was raised in council tax in East Sussex in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03; and how much is expected to be raised in 2003–04.

Christopher Leslie: Tabled is the figures for budgeted gross council tax income in East Sussex for each financial year. Gross council tax income includes council tax collectable by local authorities and council tax funded through Council Tax Benefit.
	
		£ million
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Eastbourne 3.8 4.0 4.3 6.1 
			 Hastings 4.0 4.2 4.6 5.2 
			 Lewes 5.4 5.6 6.3 6.9 
			 Rother 3.8 4.1 5.0 5.5 
			 Wealden 9.2 9.8 10.7 11.3 
			 East Sussex county council 128.5 142.5 150.9 181.7 
			 Sussex Police Authority(8) 10.6 11.4 13.6 19.1 
			 Total 165.3 181.6 195.4 235.8 
		
	
	(8) Amounts payable by council tax payers in the East Sussex area only.The above figures are the amounts expected to be collected in respect of each financial year. They are not the amounts actually collected within the financial year. Some of the council tax due for a particular year is not collected within that year. This means that the amount actually collected in any particular year is made up of income in respect of that year plus amounts collected from earlier and/or later years

Energy Efficiency

David Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what conditions building regulations impose on the builders of new homes for owner occupation in respect of energy efficiency; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the conditions on energy efficiency.

Christopher Leslie: The Building Regulations require that all new dwellings, regardless of intended occupancy, must comply with the energy efficiency requirements in Part LI. The person carrying out the work must also provide an Energy Rating calculated using the Government's Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP).
	In the Regulatory Impact Assessment supporting the amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations that came into effect last year, it was estimated that the changes would improve the energy performance of new dwellings by around 25 per cent. and contribute an overall carbon saving of around 0.3 Mtonnes per year in 2010.

Faith Advisers

John Battle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities employ faith advisers; and if he will list them.

Christopher Leslie: This information is not currently available. However the Inter Faith Network of the UK has been commissioned by the Home Office, and is working with the Local Government Association, to conduct a survey of inter-faith activity in all local authority areas in England and Wales. This includes relevant work by local authorities themselves. The results will be available in a report to be published before the autumn by the Inter Faith Network.

Fire Service College

Nick Gibb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who the chief executive officer of the Fire Service College is.

Nick Raynsford: The chief executive of the Fire Service College is Robin Currie OBE QFSM FIFire E.

Hazardous Substances

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he will bring forward to ensure that Council Directive 96/82/EC relating to hazardous substances and land use policies will be complied with under the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill.

Tony McNulty: The land use planning requirements of Council Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances are implemented through the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 and associated Regulations, the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 1992 and the Planning (Control of Major-Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999. These will all remain in force after the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill receives the Royal Assent. Additional measures will not be necessary.

Home Owners

Stephen Byers: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of the adult population were home owners in (a) 1973, (b) 1983, (c) 1993 and (d) 2000.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is tabled below. Where the year shown is not that specified, the year given is the closest for which figures are available.
	
		Percentage of households in England that were owner occupiers
		
			  
		
		
			 1977 54 
			 1984 61 
			 1993 68 
			 2000 70 
		
	
	Source:
	The figure shown for 1977 comes from the National Dwelling and Housing Survey carried out in 1977–78; the figure shown for 1984 comes from the Housing Trailer t the 1984 Labour Force Survey. The figures for 1993 and 2000 come from the Survey of English Housing.

Housing

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether, pursuant to his Answer of 16 May 2003, Official Report, column 492W, on housing, he will respond to the Cambridgeshire county council's proposed modifications to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan; and whether he will object to the inclusion of any further consideration of development of land west of Trumpington Road in Cambridge on grounds of (a) the contribution which that land makes to the Cambridgeshire Green Belt and (b) the effect upon the environment of the Grantchester Meadows.

Tony McNulty: The Government Office for the East of England is currently considering the proposed modifications to the structure plan. It would not be appropriate for me to inform the House of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's intended response to that consultation in advance of representations being submitted to the strategic planning authorities.

Housing Associations

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what role housing associations have in (a) the provision of voluntary and community services and (b) the development and delivery of policies to tackle social exclusion.

Tony McNulty: Many housing associations deliver and manage housing in some of the most deprived areas of the country. They often provide or organise additional services for the community, such as neighbourhood wardens or community and youth facilities. They work closely with local authorities and other partners to tackle social exclusion in deprived areas and to deliver thriving communities. In addition the Housing Corporation's Community and Training Enabling programme empowers housing association tenants to take an active part in community initiatives.

Housing Benefit

Helen Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average weekly housing benefit payment to (a) a council tenant and (b) a housing association is in each region of England.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	The information, is in the table.
	Average weekly amount of Housing Benefit paid to local authority tenants and registered social landlord tenants in November 2002 by English Government Office Region.
	
		
			 Government Office Region Local authority tenants Registered social landlord tenants 
		
		
			 North East 39.10 52.50 
			 North West 45.10 57.80 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 39.30 65.60 
			 East Midlands 41 .60 60.20 
			 West Midlands 44.10 54.60 
			 East 47.40 63.20 
			 London 67.20 90.10 
			 South East 51.50 67.80 
			 South West 45.40 60.40 
			 England 48.60 66.00 
		
	
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in November 2002.

Joint Control Room

Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the (a) practicality and (b) benefits of providing a joint control room for (i) social services, (ii) fire, (iii) ambulance and (iv) other emergency services on the Isle of Wight.

Nick Raynsford: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has made no such assessment. This is a matter for the relevant authorities to consider.

Local Government Ombudsman

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who investigates complaints about the Local Government Ombudsman; and by what means that body is accountable to Parliament.

Christopher Leslie: The Commission for Local Administration in England (the Local Government Ombudsman) is an independent statutory body with powers, set out in the Local Government Act 1974, to investigate complaints made by members of the public about maladministration by local authorities. Sections 28–32 of the Act set out the procedures which the Ombudsman must follow in carrying out his investigations. If an ombudsman fails to carry out his investigations in accordance with the provisions of the Act he may be challenged in the courts.
	Funding for the Commission is provided through a deduction from Revenue Support Grant, which is approved by the House of Commons. The National Audit Office has access to the accounts of the Commission.

Millennium Dome

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimated weekly cost to the Exchequer is of the Millennium Dome.

Tony McNulty: English Partnerships (EP) owns and is responsible for managing and maintaining the Dome.
	The cost of management, maintenance and security of the Dome, including staff costs, in the six month period from September up to the end of February 2003, was £1.48 million, equivalent to around or around £57,000 per week, on average.
	During the same six month period, EP incurred costs of some £1.19 million in relation to the current sale process. No expenditure was incurred associated with decommissioning the contents of the Dome and its site in preparation for the future long-term use.
	These costs will be recovered from sale proceeds.

Planning

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister within what period of time he intends that decisions on planning applications for proposed regeneration of derelict sites should be made where the decision has been removed from the local authority; and what plans he has to expedite decisions on such applications.

Tony McNulty: The Planning Green Paper, published in December 2001, set a target of cutting in half the average time taken from the close of the inquiry to the issue of the decision on planning applications called in by my right. hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and recovered appeals. Subsequently, a new Planning Central Casework Division has been established in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to deal with these cases.
	The Central Casework Division has a shared target with the Planning Inspectorate to decide 80 per cent. of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's cases (this includes both called in applications and recovered appeals), from close of Inquiry to decision, within 16 weeks by March 2004.

Planning

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the status will be of supplementary planning guidance when the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill is enacted.

Tony McNulty: Supplementary Planning Guidance will remain in place until replaced by local development documents prepared by local planning authorities. The timetable for the preparation of local development documents will be set out in the local development scheme prepared by each local planning authority.

Planning

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which policy planning guidance notes will be (a) withdrawn and (b) revised as a result of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill; and whether the provisions contained in PPG 12 on over-elaborate plan-making will remain.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to review existing planning policy guidance over the course of the next three years. The Planning Green Paper noted our intention to focus at first on PPG1 (General Policy and Principles), PPG4 (Industrial and Commercial Development and Small Firms), PPG6 (Town Centres and Retail Development), PPG7 (The Countryside), PPG15 (Planning and the Historic Environment) and PPG16 (Archaeology and Planning). The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects to withdraw PPG5 (Simplified Planning Zones) as a separate PPG and we are consulting on whether to replace PPG21 (Tourism) with good practice guidance.
	Planning Policy Guidance note 12 will be revised to provide clear and concise guidance on the framework for making plans. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will continue to discourage over elaborate plan making.

Regional Assemblies/Government

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the results of the soundings exercise on the level of interest in each English region in holding a referendum about establishing an elected regional assembly at 16 May; and how many of the responses received in each region were in favour of holding a referendum.

Nick Raynsford: Responses to the soundings exercise are currently being logged and analysed. An announcement will be made shortly as to the region(s) that will proceed towards holding referendums first. At the same time, the Government will publish a summary of the responses received and a breakdown of the responses in favour of and against holding a referendum by region and type of organisation.

Regional Assemblies/Government

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his Answer of 19 March 2003, Official Report, column 795W, on regional governance, if he will provide a total cost figure for the soundings exercise on the level of interest in holding referendums about establishing elected regional assemblies, updated to the end of the response period on 16 May.

Nick Raynsford: The soundings document and an update to reflect amendments made to the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act during its passage through Parliament have been produced in-house, from the design and printing to its dissemination through the Government's distribution centre at Wetherby. They are also available online and respondents have been able to email their views if they so wish. Production and distribution (including postage) has cost less than £2,500 to date.
	There have been some staff costs in recording and considering responses to the soundings exercise.
	Individuals and organisations may have incurred costs in preparing their responses.

Regional Assemblies/Government

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether responsibility for greenbelt under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill will lie with the regional spatial strategy.

Tony McNulty: Once the general extent of the Green Belt has been defined it should be altered only in exceptional circumstances. Within that context, the regional spatial strategy will set the regional and sub-regional parameters for any Green Belt review. Local Development Frameworks will then define any detailed changes required to Green Belt boundaries.

Regional Assemblies/Government

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what mechanism will exist in (a) the new Regional Spatial Strategy and (b) the new Local Development Strategy to (i) safeguard strategic transport routes and (ii) avoid planning blight.

Tony McNulty: Transport routes will be safeguarded in Development Plan Documents rather than Regional Spatial Strategies. Local authorities will need to be realistic about the prospects for the infrastructure and sensitive to the implications of blight.

Regional Assemblies/Government

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the time scale will be for revising (a) regional and (b) local development scheme and spatial strategy.

Tony McNulty: The timetable for revising Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Documents will vary considerably depending on the nature of the document. The timetable for the former will be agreed between the Regional Planning Body and the Government Office. Each local planning authority will be required to prepare a Local Development Scheme which will set out the timetable for the preparation of Local Development Documents. The Scheme must be submitted to the Secretary of State who may direct amendments to it as he thinks appropriate.

Right to Buy

Mark Oaten: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the local authorities in the South East Region which have been allowed to suspend the Right to Buy; and what criteria he used in permitting suspension in each case.

Tony McNulty: There has been no suspension of the Right to Buy in any area, but nine local authority areas in the South East Region were included in the Housing (Right to Buy) (Limits on Discount) (Amendment) Order 2003—Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 498—which came into effect on 27 March 2003. These areas were:
	Chiltern—Epsom and Ewell—Hart
	Oxford—Reading—Reigate and Banstead
	Tonbridge and Mailing—Vale of White Horse—West Berkshire.
	The Order lowered the maximum Right to Buy discount available to tenants from £38,000 to £16,000 in 41 areas under the greatest housing market pressure as evidenced by high levels of homelessness and high local house prices. This was determined on the basis of two measures:
	homelessness—reflecting high demand for social housing. Using information provided by local authorities themselves in their regular Housing Investment Programme returns, the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation was compared with the number of local authority lettings and nominations to Registered Social Landlord dwellings given to households who were not homeless. A high value for this ratio indicates high homelessness and/or a low number of available lettings.
	house prices—reflecting the demand for private housing and affordability. The Land Registry lower quartile house price for the third quarter of 2002 was used, to indicate likely availability for first time buyers.

Risk Management

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local fire authorities have responded to the request to draft Integrated Risk Management Plans; and what options will be considered once such plans have been received.

Nick Raynsford: The initial guidance on Integrated Risk Management Planning, which is currently out for consultation, indicated that local fire authorities should take steps to produce a draft Integrated Risk Management Plan and Action Plan for 2004–05 by the end of September 2003.
	As at 19 May 2003, no formal response had been received from any fire authority, although 40 fire brigades had provided details of managers and practitioners who will be responsible for preparing the plans. The consultation ends on 30 May 2003.
	Fire authorities will be responsible for implementing the plans and are required to consider and take into account the views of their communities and other stakeholders, including HM Fire Service Inspectorate.

Social Exclusion and Urban Policy Units

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many equivalent full time employees there were in the (a) Social Exclusion Unit and (b) Urban Policy Unit (i) when they were established and (ii) at 1 May 2003.

Barbara Roche: The figures for full time equivalent staff in the Urban Policy Unit are:
	When established (2001)—40 and May 2002—110.
	The figures for full time equivalent staff in the Social Exclusion Unit are:
	When established (1997)—12 and May 2003—57.

Social Housing

David Wright: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many social housing units were disposed of, by financial year, by Telford Development Corporation and its successor bodies from 1979 onwards.

Tony McNulty: Numbers of sales of dwellings belonging to Telford Development Corporation and its successor bodies is presented in the following table:
	
		Sales of dwellings by Telford Development Corporation and its successor bodies since 1980–81: Sales by Telford Development Corporation
		
			 Financial Year All sales of which:  Right to Buy(9) 
		
		
			  Sales by Telford Development Corporation: 
			 1980–81 404 Nil 
			 1981–82 402 Nil 
			 1982–83 588 Nil 
			 1983–84 443 Nil 
			 1984–85 257 Nil 
			 1985–86 225 Nil 
			 1986–87 386 Nil 
			 1987–88 542 Nil 
			 1988–89 1,278 Nil 
			 1989–90 1,483 Nil 
			 1990–91 343 Nil 
			 1991–92(10) 622 Nil 
			 1992–93 16 16 
			 1993–94 2 2 
			  Sales by The Wrekin District Council (post transfer of stock from Development Corporation on 30 September 1991) 
			 1991–92(11) n/a n/a 
			 1992–93 n/a n/a 
			 1993–94 n/a n/a 
			 1994–95 166 157 
			 1995–96 149 149 
			 1996–97 177 177 
			 1997–98 59 59 
			  Sales by Telford and Wrekin Unitary Authority (created 1 April 1998) 
			 1998–99 n/a n/a 
		
	
	(9) While Telford Development Corporation reported few Right to Buy sales, there were significant other sales to sitting tenants recorded by the Corporation
	(10) On 30 September 1991, Telford Development Corporation transferred some 3,925 dwellings to The Wrekin District Council and 374 dwellings to two housing associations. On 20 December 1991, Telford Development Corporation transferred 113 dwellings to a housing association
	(11) October 1991 to March 1992 only
	(12) On 25 March 1999 Telford and Wrekin Unitary Authority transferred its entire stock of some 13,045 dwellings to Wrekin Housing Trust Limited

South West Regional Assembly

Christopher Chope: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much money the South West Regional Assembly will receive from central Government in 2003–04; and how much of this will be spent on its advisory role on regional planning.

Nick Raynsford: In 2003–04, the South West Regional Assembly will receive up to £600,000 from the Chambers Fund, to enable it to perform its role of scrutinising Regional Development Agency plans and performance. It will also qualify for £689,000 for regional planning, plus an additional £324,000 in Planning Delivery Grant.

St Oswald's Park, Gloucester

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects a decision to be taken on the planning application on the proposed development of St. Oswalds Park in Gloucester.

Tony McNulty: On 15 May my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister invited representations on the implications for the proposals of the Statement made to the House on 10 April 2003, Official Report, columns 27–29WS about town centre planning. Any responses will need to be circulated before the final decision can be made, which will be in due course.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how, and for what purpose, the Invest to Save funding awarded to the Criminal Records Bureau by HM Treasury will be allocated.

Paul Goggins: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) received £575,000 to pilot an electronic link from the CRB to police forces, enabling Enhanced Disclosure checks to be undertaken with the minimum of manual intervention, while remaining under a police force's control. The objective is to reduce the proportion of enhanced applications referred to local police forces from 100 per cent. to 5 per cent. to 10 per cent. The funding is allocated solely to this project.
	The Invest to Save Budget (ISB) was set up in 1998 by Her Majesty's Treasury, in collaboration with the Cabinet Office. Its aim is to provide funding for projects that bring together two or more public bodies to deliver services in an innovative fashion.
	ISB provides a means of investing in partnership projects with the potential for transforming public services. The projects need to be further developed before this potential can be unlocked. Funds are allocated competitively and public sector managers are challenged to come forward with proposals that will make a real difference.
	To date, the ISB has supported 136 partnership projects with a total of £180 million, following the first two bidding rounds. A further 123 projects have been selected for funding following the third round. The projects are spread right across the public sector, involving central Government, local government, health authorities, police and others.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs have been incurred to date on enhancements and improvements to the system supplied to the Criminal Records Bureau by Capita (a) before and (b) after it started operations.

Paul Goggins: The costs incurred prior to the Go Live date were £10,590,581. Costs incurred from the Go Live date to 7 May 2003 were £541,789.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the assessment of the Criminal Records Bureau system testing by the Office of Government Commerce referred to in the main findings of the independent review team report published on 27 February.

Paul Goggins: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is currently renegotiating the contract with its private sector partner, Capita pic. The release of the full text of the Gateway 4 and 4(a) reports, produced by the Office of Government Commerce, may influence these negotiations. Given Exemption 13 afforded by Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, edited copies of these reports will be placed in the Library. The purpose of Exemption 13 is to protect a third party's commercial confidences. Upon conclusion of the contract renegotiations the CRB will consider releasing these reports in their unedited form.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of whether the documentation of the current release of the Criminal Records Bureau system is (a) complete and (b) up to date.

Paul Goggins: The Criminal Records Bureau's Main Agreement includes a requirement for full system documentation to be produced. Recent reviews have highlighted some deficiencies of a technical nature which are subject to a confidential report. These deficiencies will be addressed through the contract renegotiations. It would not be appropriate at this stage to prejudge the outcome of these negotiations.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the statement of 30 April by the hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn), Official Report, column 125WH, on the Criminal Records Bureau, when he expects to announce revisions to the charges for standard and enhanced disclosures.

Paul Goggins: As was pointed out during the Adjournment debate initiated by the hon. member on 30 April, the current charges for standard and enhanced disclosures are under review. We will make an at once the review has been completed.

Prison Suicides/Self-harm

Mr. Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) suicides and (b) incidents of self harm there were among 15 to 17-year-old girls in prison in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: There have been no self-inflicted deaths in prison of female juveniles in the years since 1997. The following table covers the number of recorded incidents of self-harm by female juveniles between 1998 and 2002. Relevant data on self-harm before 1998 are not available.
	
		Self-harm among female juveniles: 1998–2002(13)
		
			  Number of incidents 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1998 8 
			 1999 20 
			 2000 44 
			 2001 122 
			 2002 107 
		
	
	(13) Up to and including December 2002.
	The Prison Service has made improvements in the recording of self-harm incidents, including the implementation of a new monitoring system from December 2002.
	The Prison Service has a duty of care to all prisoners in its custody and, recognising that self-harm is a particular problem among young female prisoners, is currently developing several interventions that may help them reduce and manage self-harm in prison. One such example is at Holloway prison where all prisoners, including juveniles, who have been identified as at risk of suicide or self-harm are offered individual crisis counselling.

Immigration and Asylum

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will issue the grant of status letter to Ms Nargis Shaheen (Home Office ref no s1128716).

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 21 May 2003
	I can inform my hon Friend that Mrs Shaheen's grant of Indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom was issued to her legal representatives, Bury Law Centre, on 20 May 2003.

Gun Crime

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes involving firearms have occurred in each of the last eight years in (a) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Constituency, (b) Teesside and (c) England per head of population; and if he will break down the figures to show those (i) involving airguns and (ii) resulting in fatalities.

Bob Ainsworth: Details of recorded crimes involving firearms are not collected on a constituency basis. Available information on the number of recorded crimes and homicides involving firearms in the Cleveland police force area and England is given in the table.
	
		Recorded crimes involving firearms
		
			  Cleveland England 
			  All firearm offences Homicides All firearm offences Homicides 
		
		
			 1994 190 0 12,718 60 
			 1995 218 0 12,799 65 
			 1996 201 1 13,214 48 
			 1997 144 0 11,816 57 
			 1998–99 245 1 13,283 49 
			 1999–2000 199 2 16,234 62 
			 2000–01 203 0 17,083 72 
			 2001–02 267 1 21,659 95 
		
	
	There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which would have had the effect of increasing the number of offences counted. Similarly, some police forces adopted the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard in advance of its national implementation on 1 April 2002, and this may also have tended to increase the number of crimes counted, particularly in 2001–02.

Heroin Addiction

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the waiting list times are for (a) residential rehabilitation and (b) treatment for heroin addiction, broken down by DAT area.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 16 May 2003
	Waiting times for residential rehabilitation and the other main types of treatment services in all Drug Action Team (DAT) areas are regularly monitored by the National Treatment Agency (NTA). Waiting times for the treatment of heroin addiction are not recorded separately from waits for other drug problems.
	The latest available figures are taken from the DAT Annual Returns submitted in April 2003 and reflect the position in December 2002. Initial analysis indicates that average longest waiting time for residential rehabilitation was 7.1 weeks.
	The following table sets out the waiting times for the main types of treatment in each DAT area.
	
		Longest Actual Waiting Times
		
			 DAT Name In-patient detoxification Community Prescribing Specialist Prescribing Community GPs Care Structured Planned Counselling Day Structured Programmes Rehabilitation Residential 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 3 3 2 4 1 4 
			 Barnet 6 6 2 3 0 6 
			 Barnsley 5 6 2 6 n/a 12 
			 Bath and North East Some 6 41 33 41 5 11 
			 Bedfordshire 4 3 3 2 0 3 
			 Bexley 8 2 4 2 2 2 
			 Birmingham 1 60 12 0 0 0 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 1 16 16 n/a n/a 1 
			 Blackpool 12 36 n/a 2 2 3 
			 Bolton — — — — — — 
			 Bournemouth 9 51 4 3 10 4 
			 Bracknell Forest 2 5 4 3 1 20 
			 Bradford — — — — — — 
			 Brent 1 1 0 2 2 3 
			 Brighton and Hove 13 6 2 2 2 8 
			 Bristol, City of 3 4 4 4 4 5 
			 Bromley 6 3 n/a 3 1 3 
			 Buckinghamshire 6 2 1 4 1 4 
			 Bury 8 9 6 9 1 0 
			 Calderdale 4 6 2 4 1 4 
			 Cambridgeshire 4 11 4 11 4 20 
			 Camden 21 18 2 2 3 21 
			 Cheshire 13 8 2 4 8 4 
			 City of London 4 11 2 2 1 3 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 10 6 0 5 2 5 
			 Coventry 3 7 2 9 0 0 
			 Croydon 12 7 2 1 1 21 
			 Cumbria 9 6 9 8 1 7 
			 Darlington 6 18 18 3 3 12 
			 Derby 0 0 3 13 3 0 
			 Derbyshire 2 20 2 6 3 3 
			 Devon 5 8 3 3 n/a 14 
			 Doncaster 0 9 0 0 n/a 0 
			 Dorset 6 26 15 2 10 24 
			 Dudley 0 10 10 10 n/a 5 
			 Durham 3 12 10 24 4 0 
			 Ealing — — — — — — 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 8 13 0 2 2 26 
			 East Sussex 12 3 2 3 2 12 
			 Enfield — — — — — — 
			 Essex 6 6 2 16 13 10 
			 Gateshead 0 n/a 10 0 n/a 0 
			 Gloucestershire 16 9 0 2 2 4 
			 Greenwich 13 12 2 12 0 3 
			 Hackney 6 11 2 2 0 5 
			 Halton 4 2 2 n/a n/a 4 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 3 5 5 2 2 5 
			 Hampshire 16 15 4 12 14 12 
			 Haringey 2 8 n/a 2 2 2 
			 Harrow 6 3 0 3 3 3 
			 Hartlepool 11 4 0 2 3 11 
			 Havering 2 3 2 2 3 3 
			 Herefordshire 12 2 2 18 0 12 
			 Hertfordshire 12 9 6 5 2 12 
			 Hillingdon 10 1 n/a 2 n/a 0 
			 Hounslow 3 6 2 0 3 3 
			 Isle of Wight 12 3 2 2 3 3 
			 Islington 14 5 6 7 10 28 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 2 3 2 2 3 4 
			 Kent 5 20 4 6 2 16 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 8 13 0 2 2 3 
			 Kingston upon Thames 14 4 3 6 3 2 
			 Kirklees 0 5 2 5 0 0 
			 Knowsley 8 1 1 4 1 3 
			 Lambeth — — — — — — 
			 Lancashire 11 35 6 12 1 4 
			 Leeds 1 5 5 2 n/a 6 
			 Leicester 4 10 4 3 1 44 
			 Leicestershire 4 10 2 3 1 44 
			 Lewisham 40 3 2 2 6 4 
			 Lincolnshire 2 3 3 12 4 2 
			 Liverpool 8 12 8 4 n/a 12 
			 Luton 4 4 3 3 0 1 
			 Manchester 13 1 1 0 0 10 
			 Medway 5 8 n/a n/a 2 16 
			 Merton 11 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Middlesbrough 4 4 0 3 2 4 
			 Milton Keynes 2 17 2 13 1 14 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 4 13 2 2 4 8 
			 Newham 2 2 2 2 2 3 
			 Norfolk 32 12 2 15 n/a 32 
			 North East Lincolnshire 8 8 2 1 2 8 
			 North Lincolnshire 8 11 2 4 n/a 12 
			 North Somerset 19 19 19 6 8 8 
			 North Tyneside 3 8 1 6 6 3 
			 North Yorkshire n/a 10 3 4 1 n/a 
			 Northamptonshire 8 2 2 5 1 0 
			 Northumberland 2 8 2 9 2 6 
			 Nottingham 8 9 3 9 n/a 4 
			 Nottinghamshire 12 12 12 12 9 10 
			 Oldham 12 2 2 2 1 5 
			 Oxfordshire 5 3 4 16 2 4 
			 Peterborough 4 11 4 11 4 20 
			 Plymouth 12 65 4 4 2 12 
			 Poole 9 3 n/a 1 11 1 
			 Portsmouth 8 2 n/a 2 1 8 
			 Reading — — — — — — 
			 Redbridge 6 4 n/a n/a 4 10 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 2 3 2 4 1 3 
			 Richmond upon Thames 4 2 1 2 2 4 
			 Rochdale 3 8 6 3 2 2 
			 Rotherham 2 5 0 3 2 2 
			 Rutland 4 10 4 3 1 4 
			 Salford 12 2 2 2 2 3 
			 Sandwell n/a 4 n/a 2 n/a n/a 
			 Sefton 4 4 4 4 4 4 
			 Sheffield 4 7 5 2 2 7 
			 Shropshire 9 21 4 22 n/a 18 
			 Slough 4 3 7 3 1 6 
			 Solihull n/a 5 2 2 2 3 
			 Somerset 30 31 12 5 n/a 32 
			 South Gloucestershire 2 3 0 2 0 0 
			 South Tyneside 2 8 n/a 1 2 4 
			 Southampton 4 14 n/a 4 n/a 4 
			 Southend on Sea 20 6 8 20 20 4 
			 Southwark 40 4 0 4 8 16 
			 St. Helens 4 1 1 1 0 4 
			 Staffordshire 7 9 3 n/a 2 6 
			 Stockport 8 3 4 2 n/a 2 
			 Stockton on Tees 9 6 7 7 4 0 
			 Stoke on Trent 7 9 6 2 4 4 
			 Suffolk 5 8 3 4 4 5 
			 Sunderland n/a 12 n/a 8 2 3 
			 Surrey 26 6 4 3 9 0 
			 Sutton 12 3 na 1 na na 
			 Swindon 1 10 7 5 6 4 
			 Tameside 8 12 3 0 0 2 
			 Telford and Wrekin 4 25 3 9 n/a 0 
			 Thurrock 4 3 n/a 4 n/a 4 
			 Torbay 6 20 1 4 n/a 4 
			 Tower Hamlets 6 18 2 4 1 6 
			 Trafford 2 2 2 2 1 4 
			 Wakefield 9 9 9 9 9 9 
			 Walsall 6 6 3 6 n/a 4 
			 Waltham Forest 8 8 n/a 7 0 10 
			 Wandsworth 20 5 0 2 4 8 
			 Warrington 4 4 3 2 5 6 
			 Warwickshire 4 5 2 2 n/a 8 
			 West Berkshire 3 2 3 2 0 6 
			 West Sussex 2 9 2 13 0 4 
			 Westminster 2 2 1 3 4 3 
			 Wigan 14 3 2 2 3 3 
			 Wiltshire — — — — — — 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 0 4 5 3 0 20 
			 Wirral 2 4 2 1 2 3 
			 Wokingham 3 2 3 2 1 3 
			 Wolverhampton 4 2 n/a 2 2 4 
			 Worcestershire 0 24 6 1 n/a 1 
			 York n/a 8 2 4 n/a n/a 
			 Average 7.36 9.26 3.90 5.04 2.96 7.18

Information Technology

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's (a) total managed expenditure, (b) total spending on Information Technology and (c) spending on Information Technology as a proportion of its total managed expenditure was in each financial year since 1997–98.

Michael Wills: The Home Office's contribution to total managed expenditure consists of the total of spending under resource and capital budgets, less non-cash items in annually managed expenditure. Data for 1998–99 to 2001–02 was published in Table 1 of the Financial Tables of the 2003 Departmental Report (Cm 5908).
	Estimates of spending on Information Technology are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Probation Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional funding will be made available to the probation service to meet the costs of the Custody Plus scheme as set out on page 133 of the explanatory notes to the Criminal Justice Bill; ; what recent meetings he has held with representatives of the National Probation Service in relation to the provision of additional funding for the Custody Plus scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The costs shown on page 133 of the explanatory notes to the Criminal Justice Bill relate to the whole package of sentencing changes, not just Custody Plus. As the different sentencing proposals are inter-related it is not possible to meaningfully separate one particular aspect at this stage.
	The National Probation Service will receive the additional funding it requires to meet the extra costs of implementing the Criminal Justice Bill including Custody Plus. The exact timing of implementation of the proposals will of course determine the funding requirement.
	My hon .Friend, member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn) had regular meetings with the Director General and other senior staff of the National Probation Service which include consideration of the additional costs and benefits of the Bill.

Replica Firearms

Bridget Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many gun crimes were carried out using replica firearms in the last year for which figures are available in (a) the Borough of Lewisham, (b) London and (c) England and Wales; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many people in England and Wales have been (a) injured and (b) killed as a result of modified replica weapons in the last year for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many modifiable replica handguns were sold last year in England and Wales;
	(4)  how many replica firearms the Government estimates were modified to shoot real bullets in the last year for which figures are available.

Bob Ainsworth: Numbers of recorded crimes involving replica firearms at London borough and police force level are not available. There were 1,201 recorded crimes involving imitation firearms in England and Wales in the year ending March 2002.
	Details of recorded crimes involving modified replica weapons are not collected separately.
	The number of modifiable replica handguns sold in England and Wales is not collected centrally. No estimates have been made of the number of replica firearms which have been modified to shoot live ammunition. It is illegal to modify a replica weapon to shoot live ammunition, or possess such a weapon. It is illegal to modify a replica weapon to shoot live ammunition, or possess such a weapon.
	It is also illegal to sell an imitation firearm which is readily convertible into a firearm and we are currently introducing a ban on the sale, transfer, import or manufacture of any air weapon using the self-contained air cartridge system which can be converted to fire conventional ammunition.

Terrorism

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place under the Terrorism Act 2000.

David Blunkett: holding answer 15 May 2003
	The information requested is contained in the table. Prosecutions are a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. The Act is working well.
	Statistics for 2002 will be available in the autumn.
	
		Persons(14) proceeded against for offences under the Terrorism Act 2000
		
			 England and Wales 2000 and 2001  Number of persons 
			 Offence description Statute (15)2000 2001 
		
		
			 Relating to membership of proscribed organisations Terrorism Act 2000 S.11 — 3 
			 Wearing any item to dress in support of a proscribed organisation Terrorism Act 2000 S.13(a) — — 
			 Wears, carries or displays any article in support of a proscribed organisation Terrorism Act 2000 S.13(b) — — 
			 Contributions toward acts of terrorism Terrorism Act 2000 S.15–18 and 22 — 1 
			 Failure to disclose knowledge or suspicion of acts of terrorism Terrorism Act S.19 — — 
			 Failure to leave a cordoned area immediately when ordered to do so by constable in uniform Terrorism Act 2000 S.36(1) (a) 1 — 
			 Failure to leave premises, which about or are wholly or partially within a cordoned area, immediately if ordered to do so by a constable in uniform Terrorism Act 2000 S.36(1) (b) — — 
			 Failure of driver or person in charge of a vehicle which is in a cordoned area to immediately move the vehicle if ordered to do so by a constable in uniform Terrorism Act 2000 S.36(c)(d)(e) — — 
			 Contravention or a prohibition or restriction order made by a constable in uniform to a cordoned area Terrorism Act 2000 S.36(1) 1 — 
			 Making any disclosure likely to prejudice an investigation about acts of terrorism or failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism Terrorism Act 2000 S.39 — — 
			 Failure to stop (power to stop and search vehicles and pedestrians) Terrorism Act 2000 S.43, 44 and 47(1)(a)(b) 1 1 
			 Wilful obstruction (power to stop and search vehicles and pedestrians) Terrorism Act 2000 S.43, 44 and 44 and 47(1)(c) — — 
			 Failure to move vehicle when ordered to do so by a constable in uniform, (vehicle had or both been permitted to remain at rest in contravention of any prohibition or restriction) Terrorism Act 2000 S.48 and 51(2) — — 
			 Leaves a vehicle, or permits a vehicle to remain at rest, on a road in contravention of a prohibition or restriction Terrorism Act 2000 S.48 and 51(1) — — 
			 Provides instruction; invites another to receive instruction in weapon training Terrorism Act 2000 S.54 — 1 
			 Directing terrorist training Terrorism Act 2000 S.56 — — 
			 Possession of articles intended for terrorists purposes Terrorism Act 2000 S.57 — — 
			 Collect, record or possession of information likely to be of use to terrorists Terrorism Act 2000 S.58 — — 
			 Failure to furnish information when required by examining officer Terrorism Act 2000 Sch.7(5)(a) 1 — 
			 Failure to produce either a valid passport or identifying document when required by examining officer Terrorism Act 2000 Sch.7(5)(b) — — 
			 Failure to declare or produce any relevant documents when required by examining officer Terrorism Act 2000 Sch.7(5)(c)(d) — — 
			 Failure to submit to search by examining officer or person acting on his/her behalf Terrorism Act 2000 Sch.7(7)(8) — — 
			 Failure to complete and produce an embarkation card when required to by examining officer Terrorism Act 2000 Sch.7(16) 1 — 
			 Wilfully obstructs a constable in the execution of his duty in a cordoned area Terrorism Act 2000 Sch.5 S.36(1)(2) — — 
			 Wilfully obstructs, or seeks to frustrate to object of, a search in a cordoned area Terrorism Act 2000 Sch.5 (1–3) — — 
			 Total  5 6 
		
	
	(14) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(15) Staffordshire Police were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates courts in 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.

Work Permits

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits have been issued in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by (a) occupation and (b) region of employment.

Beverley Hughes: Work Permits (UK) approved a total of 157,759 work permit applications from employers between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003. The following table sets out the number of permits issued to those 20 industries sectors to which the majority of these work permits were issued.
	
		
			 Industry/sector Number of work permits approved between 1 April 2002 and 31March 2003 
		
		
			 Health and medical services 41,173 
			 ENT and leisure services 28,813 
			 Computer services 17,059 
			 Admin, bus and man services 16,751 
			 Hospitality and catering 13,319 
			 Education and cultural act 13,195 
			 Financial services 7,068 
			 Manufacturing 4,054 
			 Telecommunications 2,719 
			 Construction and land serve 2,707 
			 Sporting activities 2,144 
			 Retail and related services 1,810 
			 Transport 1,503 
			 Extraction industries 1,340 
			 Agriculture activities 1,115 
			 Law related services 1,097 
			 Government 801 
			 Utilities-gas, electricity, water 650 
			 Real estate and property services 311 
			 Secure and protect services 130 
			   
			 Total 157,759 
		
	
	Work Permits (UK) is unable to provide a breakdown of the number of work permits issued by geographical region.

WALES

Press Releases

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many press releases his Department has released in each month since 1999.

Peter Hain: Press releases issued:
	
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 January n/a 5 5 11 10 
			 February n/a 5 5 9 11 
			 March n/a 13 12 11 8 
			 April n/a 9 8 13 6 
			 May n/a 10 3 11 6 
			 June n/a 10 6 10 — 
			 July 0 12 6 15 — 
			 August 1 5 3 4 — 
			 September 7 6 9 7 — 
			 October 8 10 8 10 — 
			 November 4 8 15 24 — 
			 December 10 7 6 6 — 
		
	
	Note:
	The figures for press releases do not include operational notes

LORD CHANCELLOR

Consultancies

Brian Cotter: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list, by project, the consultancies his Department and its non-departmental public bodies have used on e-government projects since 1 January 2001.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 12 May 2003
	The information is in the following table. The projects listed are those that relate to the Government's 2005 e-Government target for getting services on line. The information requested for the period January to March 2001 is not held centrally and could be obtained now only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Department e-Government related project Consultants 
		
		
			 Lord Chancellor's department Departmental website (technical advice) Yale Consulting 
			 Land Registry Land register online Hewlett Packard 
			 Land Registry Land register online IBM (UK) Ltd. 
			 Land Registry Land register direct Onstream UK Ltd. 
			 Agencies 
			 Court Service Xhibit (Exchanging Hearing Information by Internet Technology ASE Consulting 
			 Court Service Money claim online CMG 
			 Court Service Money claim online Compass Management 
			 Court Service Money claim online ASE Consulting 
			 NDPBs 
			 Legal Services Commission Just Ask! Website (technical advice) S. Dextre Clark 
			 Legal Services Commission Just Ask! Website (technical advice) Yale Consulting 
			 Legal Services Commission AdviceNow Project Cathedral Consortium 
			 Associated offices 
			 Office of legal ombudsman Website and electronic application form (technical advice) Analogue

Grays Courthouse

Bob Russell: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 
	(1)  when the appeal by Thurrock Council against the consequent closure of Grays Courthouse was lodged; when a decision will be made; what the cause was of the delay in processing the appeal; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will allocate additional financial resources to the Essex magistrates courts committee to compensate for the costs incurred by the delay in implementing the Committee's Private Finance Initiative proposals for Essex; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The appeal of Thurrock Council against closure of Grays Courthouse was lodged on 8 May 2002. I hope to make a decision in the near future.
	I can only make a decision on an appeal once all parties concerned have had sufficient opportunity to present their cases, and I have the opportunity to consider all the evidence. Grays has not been a simple case, and has, therefore, taken some time. One development which required attention was the potential impact of the Thames Gateway Project as described in the publication of the report "Sustainable Communities: building for the future," on the proposed closure. Financial resources will be allocated to the Essex Magistrates' Private Finance Initiative scheme once the Outline Business Case has been approved. the publication of the report "Sustainable Communities: building for the future," on the proposed closure.
	Financial resources will be allocated to the Essex Magistrates' Private Finance Initiative scheme once the Outline Business Case has been approved.

PRIVY COUNCIL

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council how many staff have been employed in the Ministerial Correspondence Unit of the Department in each of the last two years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Privy Council Office does not have a dedicated Ministerial Correspondence Unit. All correspondence from Ministers and Members of Parliament is dealt with by staff in my private office.

Efficiency Savings

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council what the target is for efficiency savings in 2003–04 expressed (a) in money terms and (b) as a percentage of the Department's expenditure limit.

Ben Bradshaw: The Privy Council Office has no formal efficiency targets, but my Department constantly strives to make running cost savings and ensure value for money in delivery of its objectives.
	The Privy Council Office has a small Departmental Expenditure Limit, of which 75 per cent. is devoted to salary and accommodation costs. This, combined with the lack of any spending programmes, reduces the flexibility to make savings.

Modernisation

Tam Dalyell: To ask the President of the Council if he will put forward to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons a proposal to establish a system of ad hoc committees.

Ben Bradshaw: The Modernisation Committee has no plans to revisit the subject of select committees in the current Session.

Sickness Absence

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council how many staff in the Department have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on 30 April 2003, Official Report, column 371W.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Teachers (Temporary Contracts)

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the use of temporary contracts for teachers.

David Miliband: All schools make use of temporary contracts for teachers. These are mainly used as occasional cover for teachers who are absent on sick leave. Temporary contracts also give schools greater flexibility to respond to local circumstances in meeting their staffing needs. The number of occasional teachers has fallen for the second year in succession, by 2,600 to 14,900. The wider picture shows substantial overall progress in terms of growing teacher numbers and falling vacancies.

Schools (Laboratory Technicians)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the role of laboratory technicians in schools.

David Miliband: Science technicians make a key contribution, as do the many other staff who support teachers in the classroom. We recognise the unique role played by technicians and the Department is working with the Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services, the Association for Science Education and the Royal Society to develop a better defined career structure and linked professional development for science technicians.

Skills Strategy

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he intends to publish his Skills Strategy.

Ivan Lewis: We intend to publish the Skills Strategy and delivery plan towards the end of June 2003.

University Admissions

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent representations he has received from universities concerning the effects on university admissions of his policies on higher education.

Margaret Hodge: We have received a wide range of responses to our White Paper, which we are currently looking at closely. University admissions decisions are a matter for universities.

Higher Education (Wales)

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will meet Vice-Chancellors of universities in Wales to discuss the future of higher education.

Margaret Hodge: I will be meeting the Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University shortly. This follows meetings which my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the Secretary of State for Wales, had earlier this year with a number of Vice-Chancellors from Welsh higher education institutions. We look forward to further meetings in the future.

Careers Advice

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent representations he has received from the business community in relation to careers advice and guidance; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The business community is well represented on Connexions Partnerships Boards and Local Management Committees that are involved in the development of careers advice, guidance and other support for young people. While the Secretary of State receives a number of representations from Connexions Partnerships these are not collated in any particular form.

Children's Commissioner

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the Ninth Report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Session 2002–03, HC666, on The Case for a Children's Commissioner for England; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: holding answer 19 May 2003
	Ministers are considering the Joint Committee's report, and the Government's response will be submitted to the Committee in due course.

Departmental Staff

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of regional variations in staff turnover in his Department.

Charles Clarke: Staff turnover for my Department in 2002 for each of the regions in which it operates were:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 London 30 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 18 
			 North East 13 
			 North West 12

Departmental Underspending

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to reduce his Department's underspend in 2003–04 from that of 2002–03.

Charles Clarke: End Year Flexibility allows us to manage our resources better over a three year cycle and get the best value for public investment, It avoids the old rush to spend at the end of the year and allows us to take account of the difficulties of forecasting such things as capital expenditure.
	Planned spending, including the planned use of End Year Flexibility, for the next three years is set out in my Departmental Annual Report published 14 May; Chapter 3, table 3.2 pages 25 and 26.

Document Costs

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was to his Department and its predecessor of publishing documents, brochures, leaflets and consultation papers in each of the last five years for which information is available.

Stephen Twigg: The Department produces a number of different types of publications each year, for a variety of purposes. There are however, no central records of the costs of these. Many, but not all, such publications are handled through the Department's Publicity Division. The following figures show expenditure on design and print work placed by that Division:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1998–99 (16)0.8 
			 1999–2000 (16)2.8 
			 2000–01 11.2 
			 2001–02 12.3 
			 2002–03 6.3 
		
	
	(16) Expenditure from central budgets only—information on expenditure from individual programme budgets not available.
	It should be noted that from 2002–03 an increasing proportion of such work is handled outside Publicity Division through a system of devolving non-priority work to individual policy teams.

Drugs

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to expand drugs education for children of primary school age.

Ivan Lewis: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Derby, North (Mr. Laxton) during the Drugs Cross Cutting oral session in Westminster Hall.

Education Funding

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding was allocated by the Higher Education Funding Council to institutions (a) in each region of England and (b) in total in (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04 (estimated).

Margaret Hodge: The recurrent funding for teaching and research paid by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to higher and further education institutions by region is shown in the following table.
	
		£ million
		
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 East Midlands 334 349 373 
			 East of England 306 308 331 
			 London 977 1,020 1,087 
			 North-East 223 239 256 
			 North-West 511 543 578 
			 Open University 138 147 149 
			 South-East 540 569 611 
			 South-West 303 330 355 
			 West Midlands 355 375 397 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 429 459 489 
			 Total 4,116 4,339 4,624

Education Funding

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of the ceiling on funding for South Gloucestershire Council on education funding in South Gloucestershire.

David Miliband: The system of floors and ceilings is essential to the funding system. Authorities on the ceiling face the same choices as other authorities about how much council tax to add to Government grant and how to distribute the money between schools.

Education, Youth and Culture Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the outcome was of the Education, Youth and Culture Council held on 5–6 May 2003; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: I attended the Education session of this Council.
	After discussion, the Council adopted conclusions on benchmarking. Benchmarking will feature in the 2004 spring report to Heads of State and Government on the contribution of education to the Lisbon objectives.
	Ministers adopted a common position on the planned higher education programme Erasmus Mundus, including the budget at Euro180 million. The programme aims to provide higher education institutions with scholarships, offering further opportunities to attract overseas students, and helping them to forge useful and stronger partnerships between themselves, and with those in third countries.
	The Council adopted a common position on the e-Learning programme, including the budget at Euro33 million. This programme aims to promote schools internet twinning, virtual campuses and digital literacy. Both these programmes will now go to the European Parliament for second reading.
	Ministers discussed the future role of European universities, including the importance of excellence in research, encouraging private investment, and of maintaining the competitive edge of European higher education in the world market.
	The Council adopted the Resolution on Equal Opportunities for Learners with Disabilities without debate.
	The Deputy UK Representative represented the UK at the Youth session. After debate on the objectives proposed in the Commission's Communication on the Youth Open Method of Co-ordination, Ministers agreed to aim to adopt a set of common objectives at the November Youth Council. The Declaration on Social Value of Sport for Young People was adopted without debate.
	A copy of the Council minutes will be placed in the Library in due course.

Further Education

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) consulted on the contribution of further education to the economy.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 20 May 2003
	No research has been commissioned on the specific contribution of the further education sector to the economy, although research on the economic returns to the skills and qualifications provided through further education is a major component of the work of the DfES-sponsored Research Centre for the Economics of Education. Reviews have been conducted of research on the benefits of education and skills to the economy, including those provided through further education. A range of evidence is discussed and cited in my Department's publications of 26 March 2003: "Developing a National Skills Strategy and Delivery Plan: Underlying Evidence" and of 6 May 2003: "Education and Skills: the Economic Benefit".

GCSE

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the basis for the Government's policy on the importance of the GCSE as a certificate for all 16-year-olds.

David Miliband: GCSE serves several important functions, it provides:
	a clear and worthwhile goal for students at the end of Key Stage 4;
	a progress check in subjects and helps young people choose what they want to study after 16;
	a record of what has been achieved in subjects that will not be pursued after 16;
	an important accountability measure for outcomes of 11–16 schools.
	The Tomlinson 14–19 Working Group is examining how the nature and amount of assessment for 14–19 should develop.

Honours

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many officials in his Department have received honours; and how many honours are held by his officials, broken down by category of honour.

Stephen Twigg: Our departmental records on this go back to 1998. Since then, 48 members of the Department for Education and Skills (and previously the Department for Education and Employment, not including the Employment Service) have received an honour. 20 of those recipients have since left the Department, therefore 28 honours are currently held by DfES officials. Four hold CBs (Companion of the Order of the Bath), three CBEs (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), seven OBEs (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) and 14 MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire). Any awards for staff before they joined the Department or for achievements not related to official duties have not been included.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many of his staff have taken sick leave due to mental health problems in the last year.

Charles Clarke: My Department is committed to managing sickness absences effectively and to maintain its efforts to try and meet the 2003 target for reduced sickness absence as set out in its Service Delivery Agreement.
	My Department also confirms its legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for employees and remains committed to meeting the targets for reducing the number of working days lost due to work related injuries and illness set out in the Government's Revitalising Health and Safety initiative. These have been incorporated into the Departmental Health and Safety Policy statement.
	In the calendar year 2002, 279 staff in DfEs took sick leave due to anxiety, depression, stress and other mental illness.

Part-time Students

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action the Government are taking to ensure an easy interface for part-time learners between higher education and (a) further education, (b) community-based learning and (c) work-based learning. [R]

Margaret Hodge: We are working with the Learning and Skills Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England to streamline the funding route for institutions that deliver both further and higher education. This should allow these institutions to respond more flexibly to the needs of part-time students wishing to progress from further education to higher education.
	The vast majority of community-based learning through Adult and Community Learning is part-time and provides mainly first rung provision to encourage adults into further learning, which may lead into higher education.
	We are also supporting and promoting Advanced Modern Apprenticeships as a progression route into higher education, and in particular to Foundation Degrees. These can be undertaken in a variety of ways, including part-time and distance learning, while the students remain in employment.

Positive Activities for Young People

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the role of a personal adviser in dealing with young people to be targeted within the Positive Activities for Young People scheme.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for Education and Skills is funding 435 (full-time equivalent) adviser posts within the Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) scheme. The role of these advisers will be to provide support to an agreed list of hardest to help young people. They will work to remove barriers to young people's participation in PAYP during the school holidays, to build relationships with them and to support the young people back to education, training or employment at the end of the holiday periods.

Positive Activities for Young People

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the number of young people classed as at risk for the purposes of being targeted for the Positive Activities for Young People scheme.

Ivan Lewis: A minimum of 22,000 full-time places will be provided (a full-time place being from 12 noon to 9 pm), with a minimum of 6,200 receiving dedicated support from Connexions Personal Adviser Key Workers. These key workers will support an agreed list of hard to help young people to remove barriers to participation, to build relationships, to help the young people access the most suitable provision and to support them back into education or training at the end of holiday periods. These young people will be identified both by referral agencies and by targeting areas of geographical disadvantage. We expect that the programme will provide places for a wider group of young people in each community than those requiring key worker support.

Schools Funding

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the funding of schools in Shropshire.

Stephen Twigg: The increase in Education Formula Spending Share for Shropshire for 2003–04 was 7.3 per cent. I welcome the council's decision to pass on over 107 per cent. of the increase in schools funding to its schools budget, which resulted in an increase in the LEA's schools budget of 10.2 per cent.

Schools Funding

David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what total amount of capital funding was allocated to schools in Brighton and Hove in each year since 1996–97.

David Miliband: The following table the sets out the capital allocations made to Brighton and Hove local education authority and its schools from 1997–98 to 2003–04. Funding data prior to 1997–9.8 were not collected on a comparable basis.
	
		£000
		
			  Capital allocations 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1997–98 3,926 
			 1998–99 3,698 
			 1999–2000 5,636 
			 2000–01 7,661 
			 2001–02 (17)28,614 
			 2002–03 5,487 
			 2003–04 7,573 
		
	
	(17) Includes £24.8 million of PH credits

Science

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the relevance of (a) materials science and (b) engineering to the development of scientific and technological understanding in AS and A level students.

David Miliband: Engineering and materials science do have the potential to contribute to the technological understanding of advanced level students. Vocational A levels (AVCEs) are available in engineering and can include units in application of new technology, applied science and engineering processes. Materials science is taken into account when developing criteria for engineering and science based subjects for AS/A level students. For example, the Nuffield GCE A level chemistry specification includes a special studies optional unit on chemical engineering and materials science. The Vocational A levels in engineering and in science have optional units addressing various aspects of materials science. These and other awards help promote an understanding of science and its applications in various technological industries.

Secondments

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 6 May 2003, Official Report, column 646W, if he will list the organisations to which civil servants in his Department have been seconded since 1998 in (a) the private sector, (b) NGOs and (c) other, stating in each case (i) the dates of the secondments, (ii) the number of civil servants seconded to that organisation and (iii) their grade.

Charles Clarke: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Student Debt and Retention Rates

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures he plans to introduce to (a) address concerns about student debt and (b) improve retention rates in higher education.

Margaret Hodge: Our White Paper "The future of higher education" proposes a number of measures which address concerns about student debt, particularly for students from low income families. In particular, from 2004/05 around 30 per cent. of students will benefit in full from the new HE Grant of £1,000 per year and a further number will receive a proportion of £1,000. The grant will be additional to the loan but students can choose to reduce their loan take up, including costly commercial loans, and hence their future debt.
	From 2006/07 the abolition of the requirement to pay upfront fees and new university bursary schemes to support lower income students will also help reduce the need to borrow. The Government will continue to means test the first £1,100 contribution to fees; at present only 40 per cent. of students pay the full contribution. In 2001/02, 43 per cent. of students received a full grant to cover tuition costs and 16 per cent. received a partial grant, institutions that wish to charge higher, variable fees will be required to enter into an access agreement with the Office for Fair Access (OFFA). The access agreement will cover proposals to extend the bursaries and other financial arrangements they will offer, such as subsidised accommodation, travel, books, study aids etc.
	Student loans will continue to be offered at highly subsidised rates. Unlike commercial debt or mortgage there is no interest charged other than inflation. From 2005 the threshold at which students start to pay back will be raised from £10,000 to £15,000, helping new graduates and lower earners. This makes debt repayments lower and more affordable and repayments will continue to be income contingent. The new Student Income and Expenditure Survey for 2002/03, currently being undertaken, will give authoritative information about students' cost of living and anticipated debt.
	We have asked the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to bear down on non-completion. To that end, HEFCE are funding Action on Access to highlight and disseminate good practice in student retention. Further measures planned by HEFCE to improve retention and increase information to potential students include:
	1. Asking Action on Access to establish a target group of institutions and work specifically with them to improve their retention rates.
	2. Bringing together of Aimhigher: Partnerships for Progression and Excellence Challenge under Aimhigher to create a more unified message for potential students.
	3. Ensuring that additional relevant information is put on the Higher Education and Research Opportunities (HERO) website to assist potential students make informed decisions.
	4. Working with the Department and other partners to establish a new HE Students Portal (HESP) which will provide a dedicated information service to students, their parents and advisers.
	HEFCE will take further steps in line with the proposals in the White Paper to ensure universities and colleges will be properly funded for the extra costs of attracting and retaining students from non-traditional backgrounds.
	The HEFCE have allocated £265 million to institutions in 2003–04 for widening access and improving retention. This figure recognises the additional costs of supporting students from non-traditional backgrounds and thereby increases the likelihood that they will complete their courses successfully. We expect HEFCE to come forward with further proposals for 2004/05 on how they intend to implement White Paper proposals on funding HEIs who are not making progress on improving completion rates.

Teachers

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what grant is available to head teachers to meet the cost of teachers who moved up the upper pay scale to point two from September 2002; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: Movement to point two of the upper pay scale for post-threshold teachers is by performance points awarded on a discretionary basis in schools. The Department is contributing £205 million performance-related pay grant for 2003–04, which will be sufficient to meet all of schools' on-going commitments arising from the performance-related pay grant provided in 2002–03, and to support the costs of similar progress along the Upper Pay Spine for those teachers becoming eligible for performance points in September 2003. Discussions are continuing with employers and unions about the exact way this grant will be divided among schools.

Teachers

David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many full-time equivalent teachers were working in schools in Brighton and Hove in each year since 1996–97.

David Miliband: The following table shows full-time equivalent teachers (excluding occasionals) in the maintained schools sector in Brighton and Hove and its former parent local education authority prior to local government reorganisation, as at January of each year.
	
		
			  Former East Sussex EastSussex(18) Brighton and Hove 
		
		
			 1997 5,110 — — 
			 1998 — 3,430 1,600 
			 1999 — 3,410 1,650 
			 2000 — 3,560 1,660 
			 2001 — 3,610 1,730 
			 2002(19) — 3,620 1,800 
		
	
	(18) Post 1 April 1997
	(19) The most recent teacher data available at local education authority level are for 2002

Teachers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many vacancies he estimates exist within the teaching profession in schools in the Greater London area.

David Miliband: There were 1,020 advertised vacancies for full-time permanent teaching posts in maintained schools in the London Government Office Region at January 2003. The corresponding figure for January 2002 was 1,356.

School Places

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many unfilled places there are in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in the London borough of Wandsworth.

David Miliband: In January 2001 there were 1,485 surplus primary school places and 465 surplus secondary school places in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Surplus places data for January 2003 will be collected in June and the results published in the autumn. The Department did not collect surplus places data in 2002.